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Formed in 1999, the Michael Ross Quartet features Michael Ross on bass, David Pate on saxophone and bass clarinet, LaRue Nickelson on guitar, and Walt Hubbard on drums. MRQ released their debut CD, Doghouse, in 2000 and their followup effort,Dog Eat Dog,in 2002. The CDs were met with critical acclaim and made the playlists on several radio stations across the country. The quartet has kept busy the last few years with concerts, festival performances, and club appearances.

The Michael Ross Quartet's latest CD, Year of the Dog released in late 2004, pushes the envelope of straight-ahead jazz, world music, and other American genres.

Bassist Ross and guitarist Nickelson are skilled composers on their own, but in this arena of four accomplished musicians performing exclusively original material, their music is interpreted masterfully. The songs featured on the CDs were written expressly for this quartet and then honed in live performances.