Charlie McLean was born in 1932 and raised in Scotland to a family of musicians. McLean’s dad started teaching him to play the saxophone when he was eight years old. By the time he was nine years old, he was performing in his father’s band, which included playing concerts for the munitions workers during World War II. When he was 15, McLean’s family migrated to the United States. Following graduating from high school, McLean was drafted and played with the Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) Club Band.

Hermina Washington was born December 23, 1957 in Henderson, Nevada. To take advantage of emerging opportunities for African Americans, her parents migrated from Arkansas to Las Vegas, Nevada, joining several extended family members already settled in the city. Growing up during the Civil Rights Movement, Washington was surrounded by strong, inspiring role models, including her grandmother and educators.