Trombonist/Composer Rafe Lyford has been involved with music from a young age. He began playing trombone at the age of 10 and played in various jazz bands throughout high school. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from Lawrence University majoring in performance with a jazz emphasis and completed graduate work towards a master's degree in jazz studies and contemporary media at University of Rochester's Eastman School of Music. Rafe has studied with Ken Schaphorst, Fred Sturm, Nick Keelan, and Mark Kellogg.

Rafe currently resides in the Twin Cities, MN, where he performs regularly with a group comprised of musicians called the Things Quartet. The band is currently mixing their second cd.