Transient

Mercaba is a quartet consisting of electric guitar, drumset, double bass, and saxophone. Much like the music they play, the name Mercaba has many meanings and can be interpreted in many ways. It refers to a mystical vision of the chariot of God, a 3-dimensional star tetrahedron, and can be translated as "light-spirit-body".

The guitarist and composer, Glen Roberts, is a Northbrook native and a University of Illinois in Chicago (UIC) alum. He learned guitar mainly by listening to Chicago jazz legends like Bobby Broom, New York legends like Kurt Rosenwinkel, and by taking lessons from a couple guys around town including Zvonimir Tot who became the guitar professor at UIC after Glen graduated from its music program.

The drummer and composer, Trevor Shandling, is a Highland Park native and UIC alum. He learned the drums at a young age by studying with his father, Rick Shandling, who is an underground staple of the Chicago jazz scene. He studied jazz drumset with Ernie Adams at UIC and jazz piano with Dave Flippo.

The bassist on Black Bridge (tracks 1-7), Michael Lough, is a Barrington native and UIC alum. He studied bass at a young age and recently transferred from the pharmacy department at UIC to the music department. He studies upright bass with Stewart Miller and Lorin Cohen. He is active on the Chicago jazz scene and is in house bands for numerous jam sessions.

The bassist on Smoke Signals (tracks 8-14), Dan Kristan, is from Des Moines, Iowa. He played bass since he was 9 and was in the Iowa All-State Jazz Band and the All-State Orchestra as principal bassist. He moved to Chicago to study at DePaul University where he's now a senior. He studies with Kelly Sill and Ron Perrillo.

The saxophonist, Mark Tuttle, is also from Des Moines, Iowa but has been in Chicago for most of his storied life. He has played for many great groups in Chicago including the Chicago Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, Rick Shandling's Jazz Coalition, Brad Goode Band, Dana Legg Stage Band, Bill O'Connell Big Band, Paul Mckee, Damon Short, Woody Herman Orchestra, and even Tower of Power to name a few.

Mercaba recorded their first full length all original album, "Black Bridge", at Dr Caw Recording Studio in Northbrook in November 2011. "Smoke Signals" was finished in November 2012. They are the culmination of playing together for almost 3 years. They have performed their original music and straight ahead jazz at Chicago venues such as Jerry's in Wicker Park, Bird's Nest, Elbo Room, Deagan Music, Horseshoe Place, and the illustrious Green Mill as part of the Chicago Jazz Composers Collective series. Suburban shows include Salerno's Pizzeria in Vernon Hills, the Landmark in Northbrook, Northbrook Days festival, Highwood Farmer's Market, North Shore 'Live' Cooper's Corner public access cable TV show, the 1st Presbyterian Church of Deerfield, Glenview Public Library, and a broadcast at WNUR 89.3FM Northwestern radio.

Artwork on Black Bridge is by Will McIntosh
Artwork on Smoke Signals is by Licha DeLaPeña