"I love what these guys do so much!  I love that we can all come together and make music and share that with the outside world.  I created Entropy both as a vehicle for my personal musical aspirations as well as a way to showcase these fantastic musicians I am surrounded with!"

Donny Myers is the bandleader, founder, and musical director of the Entropy Jazz Orchestra.  On occasion, Donny also plays trumpet when needed!  Donny is an alumnus of Western Illinois University (Macomb, IL) and currently teaches as a band director in the Burlington, IA school district.

A United States Air Force veteran serving as a missile maintainer in Montana, Donny attended college late into his twenties after rekindling his love for the trumpet and developing a passion for teaching.  His passion for music resides much in the world of progressive rock, jazz fusion, and classical music.  Citing prog rock acts such as Rush, Yes, King Crimson, and jazz groups such as the Stan Kenton Orchestra, the Pat Metheny Group, the 8-Bit Big Band, and many more, Donny has big dreams and plans for the Entropy Jazz Orchestra!

Donny has studied under the tutelage of music educators such as David Ericson, Ben Bredemeier, Dr. Bruce Briney, Dr. Whitney Ashe, and Derrick Murphy.  As a jazz musician, Donny's biggest influences are Roy Hargrove, Wayne Bergeron, John Coltrane, Count Basie, and arrangers such as Hank Levy and Robert Curnow.

Contact:  jazzentropy@gmail.com

Instagram:  @dmyerstpt

"Working with people who all want to be here makes the entire endeavor feel much more worth it!"

Michael Moon is the lead alto saxophone player for the Entropy Jazz Orchestra, and he also frequently doubles on soprano sax, flute, and clarinet.  Michael is currently a senior year Music Education student at Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL.

Michael started playing the saxophone in the fifth grade, and has studied under professors John Vana and Dr. Charlie Chadwell during his time at WIU.  His musical influences include jazz saxophone legends Paul Desmond, Chris Potter, and Stan Getz. As a musician, Michael's goal is to teach band at the high school level following graduation from WIU.

Michael is also the lead alto player for the Rooftop Big Band, another west-central Illinois jazz ensemble under the direction of our own drum set player and rhythm section lead Darren Woods!

"I love getting to play with a group of people who are there for their love of music.  There's no ulterior motive within this group; it's just a group of friends who want to make great jazz music together and that is something truly special!"

Matt Ellman is our other alto sax player for Entropy, and is an alumnus of both Wheaton North High School as well as the College of DuPage.  Matt currently studies Music Education at Western Illinois University.

Matt started his musical journey in the fifth grade, and has been playing avidly for the past 14 years in various wind ensembles, jazz ensembles, combos, and marching bands.  It should be noted that Matt is not just a great sax player -- he can play some mean lead trumpet as well!  Matt has studied saxophone under Dr. Matt Shevitz (College of DuPage) as well as Dr. Charlie Chadwell (WIU).  Currently at WIU, Matt performs as a sax player in their Wind Ensemble and Saxophone quartet, and as a lead trumpet player for the Marching Leathernecks and the WIU Pep Band.

Matt's primary musical influences are Cannonball Adderley, Charlie Parker, Jeff Coffin, and John Coltrane.  Following his graduation from WIU, Matt seeks to become a high school band director with a marching program of his own, with dreams of taking them to the Bands of America Marching Championships!

Instagram:  @MattEllman92

Baritone Saxophone

"I am close with many of the exceptional people in this band, and we all have a great time sharing this high-energy music with you!"

Jared Johnson is the lead trumpet for the Entropy Jazz Orchestra, and an alumni of Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL.  Possessing a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education, Jared was just recently hired as the Director of Bands for the Brimfield School District in Brimfield, IL.

Jared first started his musical journey by playing piano at the age of 5, and picking up the trumpet a few years later in the fifth grade.  His time at WIU has molded him into a versatile player in jazz, classical, and commercial styles.

Jared's influences as a trumpet player include the likes of Miles Davis, Maynard Ferguson, Wayne Bergeron, Bobby Shew.  A graduate of Limestone Community High School in 2019, Jared has previously studied under the tutelage of Chuck Cunningham in his early years, and Dr. John Cooper and Dr. Bruce Briney, professors of trumpet at Western Illinois University.

Jared's goals as a musician are to continue networking with experienced professional musicians and to grow his skills as a trumpet player.  As an educator, Jared desires to work with students to foster their growth as individuals and to meet their needs as young musicians.

Contact:  jjohnsontrumpet@gmail.com

"I enjoy being in a group of talented musicians and making music with them!"

Jeffrey Jackson is one of our trumpeters within the Entropy Jazz Orchestra, and is a native of Burlington, Iowa (Go Grayhounds)!  Graduating from BHS in 2023, Jeffrey is currently a sophomore music education major at Western Illinois University! At WIU, Jeffrey has played in the Wind Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Jazz Studio Orchestra, the Pep Band, and is a trumpet section leader for the WIU Marching Leathernecks!  Jeffrey is also a member of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia men's music fraternity.

Jeffrey started playing the trumpet in middle school, learning a lot through both the band program as well as private lessons from Derrick Murphy, the band director at Burlington High School.  At WIU, Jeffrey has studied under Dr. Nicole Gillotti, professor of trumpet.  During the summer months, Jeffrey also plays trumpet for the Burlington Municipal Band.

Jeffrey's major influences and inspiration are trumpet legends Wayne Bergeron, Maynard Ferguson, and younger artists such as Louis Dowdeswell.  Long term, Jeffrey aspires to teach high school band as well as pursue a master's program for conducting!

"Many members of the band are in the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity, and it's a pleasure to learn from their playing and see how they interpret certain songs based on those values!"

Cody Clair is the lead trombonist for the Entropy Jazz Orchestra.  Cody is currently a senior computer science major at Western Illinois University and is an alumnus of New Berlin High School (he's a Pretzel)!  He is also a current member and worship team leader of WIU's Campus Students for Christ student ministry organization.

From playing trombone in junior high to learning guitar, bass, and piano in high school, Cody became increasingly interested in jazz, learning scales and pedagogy for trombone, and playing as much as he could. Now, as a computer science major at WIU, he continues to participate in many ensembles in the WIU School of Music as well as the Rooftop Big Band. In high school with the 2022 Illinois Honors All-State Jazz Band during his senior year, and took lessons with William Mitchell. In college, Cody has studied under John Mindeman and Dr. Jett Walker and was a finalist in the 2024 WIU Concerto Competition.

Cody's musical influences are Joseph Alessi, David Steinmeyer, Wycliffe Gordon, and Michael Dees. Outside of trombone, he loves the music of Styx, Journey, Petra, and Michael W. Smith!

Professionally, Cody's desire is to become a software developer for a company that serves Jesus and holds to Christian values in their line of work.  As a musician, he is also open to teaching lessons to young students in the area or playing in a local orchestra and, of course, local jazz bands!

Bass Trombone

Drum Set

"The thing I enjoy most about Entropy is how well everyone gets along. Not just that everyone is friends, but also that everyone is able to give honest feedback immediately to one another, and not worry about hurting someone's feelings. We rehearse in a big circle, facing each other, so we can really hear everyone's little mistakes and positive vibrations. It's truly a great time!"

Jacob Behm is our guitarist within the Entropy Jazz Orchestra. Jacob is a junior-year music education student at Western Illinois University, and is an alumnus of Richwoods High School in Peoria, IL. Jacob is also a current member of the Western Illinois University Jazz Studio Orchestra.

Jacob started his music journey at the age of 10 playing the saxophone. A year later, he then took up guitar after being inspired by his brother. He took guitar lessons from Connie Brockmeyer all the way through high school, remaining involved in the jazz program throughout. He was truly inspired to value jazz as a part of his life by Richwoods High School band director Chris Render. Throughout the years, Jacob has explored many secondary instruments such as bass, steel pan, banjo, and tuba. Currently at WIU, Jacob studies under saxophone professor Dr. Charles Chadwell and guitar professor Dr. George Turner.  Some of Jacob's musical influences include Pat Metheny, John Scofield, John Frusciante, Jim Hall, Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, Joe Henderson, and John Coltrane!

Jacob's long-term desire is to become a music educator, either as a band director or applied faculty. He also adds that he certainly wants to pursue jazz and make his mark on the jazz world!

Piano

Bass