Jack Skorija / Band Lead / Sax - Flute

Jack is an IT professional and retired Army musician who leads the ClearSpace combo. He is also a saxophonist for the Nighthawk Swing Big Band, which performs classic big band repertoire in and around the Washington, DC Area. Additionally, Jack has performed with Clipper City Crew of Baltimore MD, as well as guest appearances with the Hunt Valley Jazz Ensemble in Hunt Valley, MD.

With a strong passion for improvisation and a focus on Latin and bossa nova influences, Jack brings both energy and versatility to his performances. He's actively involved in a jazz workshop, always honing his craft and sharing his love of music with others.

Alongside his musical journey, Jack has built a successful career in IT, specializing in systems and data engineering. Now that he is preparing for retirement, he is shifting his focus toward music.

Jack is also exploring ways to make his performances more engaging and personal, showcasing the variety of musicians he collaborates with. He views music not only as a performance but as a way of connecting people and creating memorable experiences.

Mark Caruso / Guitar https://www.markcarusomusic.com/

Mark Caruso is a guitarist based in the greater Washington DC metro area. He has performed with a number of jazz and rock bands for the past 15 years. From 2009 until 2020 he was a member of the DC Jazz Jam house band performing on the 2nd Sunday of the month. He is currently a member of the house band for the Takoma Station Jazz Jam performing on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month. Mark has also performed regularly at the Urban Winery in Silver Spring MD in small jazz combos and with the acoustic rock vocal/guitar duo “Jayme & Mark”. In the period between 2008 and 2010 Mark teamed up with singer/song writer–and now international recording artist– Syssi Mananga. As a vocal/guitar duo, they performed jazz standards and some of Syssi’s early compositions in venues in and around Washington DC. In 2009 Mark played on the recording “Twisted Standards” (copyright 2009 JMB Music) as a member of the Zeebop Jazz Trio. In 2010 Mark and Syssi Mananga recorded the CD “Sweet Memories” (available on request). Mark studied guitar privately with recording artists and local legends Ken Navarro and Keith Grimes. Mark is currently a member of The Jazz Workshop .

Web Tileston / Percussion

Web Tileston is a drummer based in Northern Virginia. He’s performed at a number venues in the Washington DC-Northern Virginia- Maryland area over the past 10 years. He was the house band drummer for the once-a-month jazz jam at the Epicure Café in Fairfax until COVID brought that to an end. He

has been a student in the Jazz Workshop since 2014. He began lessons in the Boston area in 1965. But upon graduating from high school, the drums sat on the shelf for approximately 30 years while he was in college and then the Air Force. He initially resumed playing once-a-month in a church worship band beginning in 2001 that he continued until 2015 when the band

was disbanded. He is busy playing jazz with a number of groups as needed and most recently took the drum chair for the classic rock band Riptide. Although brought up on Buddy Rich, he can cite as many as 20 other drummers who have inspired him and influenced his playing style. But he aspires to be proficient in all styles of music like one of his greatest influences, Steve Gadd.

Dan Mills / Bass

Dan Mills lays down the foundation of Clear Space with a deep, driving groove and a natural feel for both swing and contemporary styles. A versatile bassist with years of experience in big bands, small groups, and jazz workshops, Dan brings a steady pulse and a warm, resonant sound that anchors the ensemble.

Known for his supportive musicianship and keen musical ear, Dan adapts seamlessly to any style—from classic standards and bossa nova to smooth pop and contemporary jazz. His playing not only provides rhythmic stability but also adds color and melodic counterlines that give the music extra depth.

Outside of Clear Space, Dan has performed with a variety of local ensembles and continues to hone his craft through workshops and collaborations. Whether holding down the groove behind a ballad or locking in with the drummer on an uptempo swing, Dan’s bass lines keep the music grounded and the energy alive.

David Jaynes / Keyboards

From Fairfax currently plays with NIghthawks Swing, BB&J, Linda Anderson and Friends and 3rd Jones Band. David has also played in a dozen productions with community theatre and was recently recognized as Best Music Director by the Watch Awards for Avenue Q with Reston Community Theatre.

Peter Robbins / Tenor Sax

Peter Robbins is a tenor saxophonist whose playing is influenced by Hank Mobley, Joe Henderson and Joshua Redman.

His musical life with the saxophone started at his 50th Birthday, when he realized that his midlife crisis was not going to include an affair, and he already had a convertible. For the second half of his life, it became clear, he wanted jazz saxophone to be a part of it.

He has played in jam sessions, and private concerts in the Northern Virginia area for 18 years, and has been active at the Jazz Workshop for 15 of those.