The Conical Bees is a saxophone quintet. The idea for this group is based along the lines of the conventional chamber ensemble of saxophones, which is the saxophone quartet, consisting of soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones. So, first I wrote and arranged music for this particular arrangement. Thinking I should adapt the arrangements to accommodate the American quartet arrangement, of two altos, tenor, and baritone, I made sure that soprano and alto 1 parts were in a compatible range. This way the pieces could be performed in SA2TB, or AATB formats, and are more versatile. Then with the jazz band saxophone section in mind, two altos, two tenors and baritone, I wrote an independent second tenor part into the quartets. This way the pieces can be performed SA2T1B, AAT1B, SA2TTB, or AATTB. Now I have arrangements of original music that band directors can use for quartet at state contest, or when they want to do something unique with their jazz band sax sections. Now I need to get recordings and make PDF versions for sale, and the Conical Bees could potentially make income from sales of recordings and printed music to musicians, performers, listeners, and educators. That is the so-called "vision" I'm working with, and the reasoning behind this group. The personnel for this ensemble includes Nick Rowland on alto, a former student and up-and-coming young jazz player from Olathe, KS. Richard Wheeler on tenor. He's a former student when I directed the Jazz Ensemble II at the University of Kansas in 1992. James Isaac on tenor, a graduate from U.M.K.C., that I met through the Toon Shop and the Boulevard Big Band during the 1990s. Kerry Strayer on baritone, is a K.C. bandleader and arranger that has had quite a successful career. Besides being a good performer his writing skills are exceptional. Hopefully he will make a few contributions to the ensemble as well.