Marcus Miller boasts a 45-year career, 2 Grammy Awards, the Edison Prize, and a Jazz Victory among his numerous global accolades. In 2013, UNESCO honored him as an Artist for Peace and spokesperson for the Slave Route project. A versatile artist, Miller is a creator, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and prolific composer. His collaborations with legends like Miles Davis, Eric Clapton, and others have greatly influenced his musical landscape. Miller's stage appearances with young talents blend Funk, Soul, and Jazz, showcasing his versatility and mastery across genres.

Richard Bona, a Grammy-winning musician and renowned international bass player, is known for his unique sound representing his African heritage. His music spans world, jazz, and Afropop, addressing cultural themes. Currently, he produces for Latin and Brazilian artists. Bona has collaborated with legends like Herbie Hancock and Sting, while also teaching jazz improvisation and mentoring talents globally. Actively involved in improving music business ethics, his partnership with MARKBASS solidifies him as a leading bass amp and guitar manufacturer. Constantly touring, he's working on new projects in Afrobeats, Afropop, Latin, and Flamenco across Europe, the US, and Latin America.

The Discovery Collective, which was awarded the 1st prize of the Future Sound competition in 2022, played together in 2023 with the bands of Bill Frisell and John Scofield at the Guitar Night of the Leverkusener Jazztage. The four young musicians Finn Heine (guitar), Colin Schulte (drums), Baruna Dhimas (bass), and Darius Blair (saxophone) are partly members of the Bundesjazzorchester or were fellows in the Composers Fellowship program of the WDR Big Band. Unconventional structures, complex rhythms, sophisticated timbres, and the combination of electronic sound design and acoustic sounds make up the sound of the Discovery Collective. In their compositions, they explore the fusion of different musical worlds and aim to create unique grooves with the intention of crafting singable melodies within a sophisticated musical context. Space for improvisation, interaction, and the creation of unique moments are particularly important to them.