TIM CASKIN

ALTO SAXOPHONE

TENOR SAXOPHONE

DUSTIN LUTOMSKI

TRUMPET

TROMBONE

TJ DAVID

GUITAR

CHAD PATRICK

DRUMS

ASHTON TAUFER

UPRIGHT & ELECTRIC BASS

Meet The Band

The Jazzmonauts” are the cutting edge of the local RFV jazz scene. This 5-piece group combines traditional jazz roots with modern arrangements and experimental sounds, and performs a mix of standard tunes and their own original compositions. They blend bebop, funk, bossa nova, blues and swing into a magical tour of the sounds of the past and the sounds of the future. The group features Tim Caskin on alto & tenor saxophone, Dustin Lutomski on trumpet & trombone, Ashton Taufer on upright bass, TJ David on electric guitar and Chad Patrick on the drums.


  • Alto/Tenor Saxophones

    Music has always been taking Tim Caskin to interesting places. In 1997, Tim was part of an opening act for Marylin Manson during the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall. He was also 15 years old when he first heard saxophonist Dale Underwood play, and knew he had to study with him. He did so at George Mason University, earning his Bachelor of Music degree (2005). His achievements included being a featured soloist on soprano saxophone with the university’s top wind ensemble and being selected to perform at the United States Navy Band’s 27th International Saxophone Symposium as part of a masterclass taught by Jean Pierre-Baraglioli. Upon graduating, he went back to his roots to begin his teaching career on Long Island, New York in 2006. After several years of directing high school concert bands, jazz bands, and pit orchestras, Tim furthered his education, receiving a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University (2011). Inspired by the world-class scholars, teachers, and musicians he studied with at Northwestern, Tim felt compelled to continue his education. He was accepted into the PhD in Music Education program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he excelled at teaching undergraduate courses. In the Fall of 2014 and Spring 2015 semesters, Tim was ranked in the top 10% among faculty in student evaluations. In 2016, he presented projects at the Illinois Music Educators Conference and the NAfME National Conference in Atlanta. After experiencing a seismic change of heart he left school and moved to Colorado in 2018. He spent a brief time as a band director in the Roaring Fork School District, and now works as a freelance musician and teacher. He plays saxophone in The Sunlight Lab, The Jazzmonauts, and the electronic-infused Beep Bop Boop. Coming soon is his latest project which includes original songs fusing spirited rap lyrics with feel-good beats and catchy saxophone lines. He is on faculty with the Jazz Aspen Snowmass In-Schools program, he teaches guitar classes through the Aspen Music Festival and School, and he teaches private lessons in his studio in Carbondale.


  • Guitar

    TJ started playing guitar at 13 years old and soon fell in love with jazz. In his senior year of high school, TJ founded his school's first ever jazz band. After graduation, TJ took his love for the genre and composition to upstate New York, where he studied jazz and performing arts at Skidmore College. After a decade-long hiatus from musical study and performance to pursue professional athletics, TJ picked his guitar back up during the pandemic and soon began performing in various musical configurations throughout the valley. In 2023, TJ founded the Roaring Fork Valley Jazz Jam at Steve’s Guitars.


  • Drums

    Becoming aware that music (in particular, rhythm) could be a career, Chad pursued his classical music degree in NYC. The reality of dwindling orchestral vacancies and hours spent counting measures only to play one triangle note inspired him to dive back into his drum set playing.

    Fast forward to today, Chad is a staple in various different musical groups throughout the Roaring Fork Valley, including The Confluents and Party Party. He plays drums for Theatre Aspen and Aspen Community Theatre, as well as participates in hand drumming and world music events. Chad is on the faculty of JAS In-School Education and works with students throughout the area.


  • Trumpet

    Unlike his bandmates Dustin didn’t study music in college, but he won’t let that slow him down. He grew up in a musical family in Woodstock NY and has been performing in the RFV since 2005. His grandfather played trumpet professionally, as does his mother, so there might be something genetic going on. Dustin currently performs with The Confluents, 8th St Bus Stop, Frank Todaro Band, Sweet Bangs and Those Austrian Guys playing genres including jazz, reggae, funk, polka and rock & roll.


  • Bass

    Ashton, born in Glenwood Springs but taking his musical studies to CSU and Berklee, is a regular in the Roaring Fork Valley music scene, appearing with numerous groups, including Let Them Roar and Party Party, as well as The Jazz Elements. Ashton plays both the electric and upright bass and believes our world is a better place with music in it.