David Parsley

Born in Los Angeles, David grew up playing in r'n'b
and latin-fusion bands primarily in the East Los Angeles area. David's
groups were managed for many years by Kasey Casem, and he toured extensively throughout the US and Canada. At one time or another his bands shared a stage with such artists as Issac Hayes, The Chambers Brothers, Dick Clark, Wilson Picket, the Drifters, Brenton Wood, and the Osmond Brothers. During those years he had recording contracts with Mercury Records and later, MGM Records. David also created arrangements and conducted for Fabian during the late 70's. He plays all the saxes - soprano, alto, tenor and baritone, as well as flute. He also contributes to Heat Index's sound with vocals.

Frank Goddard

Born and raised in Johnson City, TN. When the Beatles hit the shores of America, his music interest began. By age 15 he was playing in about three bands in the area, the most influential being “The Funky Souls” with member all at least 8 years older than him. They played local, out of state and nite clubs.This band also backed up famous artist like Sam & Dave and Eddie (“Knock on Wood“) Floyd who performed in Johnson City. After moving to Kansas he played with a well established rock band “Tumbling Dice” for a couple of years. He then went back to playing R&B mixed with Smooth Jazz, at this time making the move to 5 string Bass. Striving to improve his playing ability, He choose to challenge himself by playing more jazz with musicians in the Kansas City area. That’s when he met David Parsley and they decided to form a band which is now Heat Index. He credits every bass player he has ever heard as influences, but especially Willie Weeks , Freddy Washington and of course Marcus Miller.

Guest Artist

Al Pearson

Al Pearson began his musical career in Philadelphia during a time when there were many mentors that made themselves available to ALL musicians who would seek them out. John Coltrane, Clifford Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Golson, Jimmy Heath, Richie Kamuca, Hank Mobley, Billy Root, Johnny Coles, Lee Morgan, Odean Pope, Bootsie Barnes, Jimmy Oliver, Bill Doggett, Bobby Timmons, and Jymie Merrit were among the musicians who lived in Philadelphia at that time. During those early learning period years Al played in a seven piece band lead by trumpeter Owen Marshall and the two young saxophonists in the group, Carl and Earl Grubbs, were nephews of John Coltrane. While learning to play jazz he began playing casual dances and shows featuring Stevie Wonder, Four Tops, Smokey Robinson, Sammy Davis, Jr, Marvin Gaye and many others. He was a recording studio musician for Philly Sound Studios for many years. Education was garnered from The Granoff School of Music, Philadelphia Academy of Music, Mesa Community College in Arizona , Arizona State University and Park University in Missouri . Al participated in many jazz bands led by Basie trombonist Al Grey, pianist-trumpeter-composer Owen Marshall, Jimmy Heath, Clark Terry, Jackie McLean, Jay McShann, Claude ‘Fiddler' Williams, Eddie Harris, Carmel Jones, Everette DeVan, Ahmad Alaadeen, Bill Caldwell, Sonny Kenner, Arch Martin, Myra Taylor, Queen Bey, Boulevard Big Band, Trilogy Big Band, River City Orchestra, Louis Neal Big Band, Vince Bilardo Orchestra, the New Vintage Big Band and others. Musicals in the Kansas City area, include 42nd Street , The Lena Horne Show and the Tiffany's Attic production of One Mo' Time. Recently Al has backed performers such as Lou Rawls, Debbie Reynolds, Crystal Gale, Four Tops, and Joe Piscopo. Al has also performed with the Danville , IL symphony, performing a Duke Ellington work.

Monte Muza

Monte was born in Kansas City, Mo on April 15, 1948. In Independence, Mo. to be exact. Monte got a late start playing music, getting his first guitar at age 15. But he practiced a lot and worked hard to overcome the late start. By the time he was in his late teens he was in the back up band of Blues giant Albert Collins, who lived in the Kansas City area during the 1960's. Monte took an interest in R&B at the time, as well as Blues, and then eventually got interested in Jazz.

In the following years he had the opportunity to perform with local musician's, trumpeter Carmell Jones, alto saxophonist Bobby Watson, and guitarist Pat Metheny, all of whom became internationally renowned. He also had the opportunity to perform with world famous saxophone players Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, Cannonball Adderley, Jimmy Heath, David "Fathead" Newman and Ernie Wilkins. Additionally he performed with trumpeters Dizzy Gillespie and Clark Terry, trombonist Curtis Fuller, bassist Percy Heath, drummer Louis Hayes, and fellow guitarist Phil Upchurch.

Over the years Monte has been teaching music lessons, including guitar, bass, music theory, etc. as well as performing in the Kansas City area with as many local musicians as possible in many different styles, Blues, R&B, Jazz, etc. He hopes to continue performing and teaching for many years to come

Allen Myers

Allen Myers, originally from Dayton, Ohio, now resides in Liberty, Missouri. His educational background includes degrees from the Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory of Music, Indiana University and the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri at Kansas City.

Allen has directed jazz ensembles and taught as an adjunct faculty member at the Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio and William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri.

As a composer, he was named Composer of the Year 2000-2001 from the Music Teachers National Association/Missouri Music Teachers Association. In 2006 he established the Allen Myers Jazz Orchestra. The ensemble is a showcase for his jazz composing and arranging.

Johnny Foster

Johnny Foster has a musical history of playing several types of music. R&B, Jazz, Blues, Rock & Roll, Zydeco, Reggae, Country & Western,Blue Grass, and Marching or Field Drumline in the American Royal Parade.

Doug "Gunner" Gunn

A Denver native, Doug grew up playing in KC area bands.  He also performed in various northern California and Colorado-based groups in the early 70's. Trained in jazz drumming, "Gunner" has performed many styles of music including British Invasion rock, folk rock, top forty pop, classic r'n'b, soul, disco, country rock, contemporary Christian, and what he likes to call power-funk original and heavy-pop original.  The list of well-known local bands Doug drummed for includes The Sensations, JT Cooke, Hotfoot, The Steve Werner Band, The Phil Neal Band, Joe "Guido Toledo" Welsh with The Artists, and Pedestrian. Doug did many recording sessions at Chapman's Studios in the 70's and 80's playing on many local bands' demos and albums and on various jingles. He counts Steve Gadd, Lenny White, and Stanton Moore as three of his favorite drummers.