Performance used with permission from the artists.

Detroit based Anthony Stanco, embodies the soulful essence of the city's musical legacy. Fueled by the city's vibrant rhythms, Stanco honed his craft under the tutelage of local luminaries like Marcus Belgrave and Rodney Whitaker, absorbing their wisdom like the note of a melody.

As leader of The Crucial Elements, Stanco commands attention with a distinctive blend of talent and charisma. Their music transcended borders while they served as cultural ambassadors through the US State Department's "American Music Abroad" program. From the rhythmic pulse of South Africa to the exotic melodies of Indonesia, they enrapture audiences worldwide, gracing esteemed stages such as the Java Jazz Festival and the Cairo Jazz Club.

The group in this performance contains a mix of Crucial Elements members, Michigan and Ohio State University faculty and students.

Featuring Pete Mills on Saxophone, Jon Eshelman on Organ, Zach Compston on Drums and Anthony Stanco on Trumpet, and from a November 3rd, 2024 performance, it's Anthony Stanco – Live at the Bop Stop.