'Timeless' Take 2–First-Year Victors Seek Repeat Excellence

They may be known as Timeless Jazz, but for this , time is running short.

When you're a group of teenage performers, many of whom participated–and took first place–in the inaugural Morristown's Got Talent, well, eventually you've got to graduate.

Such is the case for five of the eight members of the current incarnation of Timeless Jazz–music director, founder and tenor saxophonist Gus Bacas; singer Isabelle Rogers; bassist Ben Burgess; alto saxophonist Ryan Gallagher; and trumpteer Danny Reardon.

"This is our last shot for us," said Gus, who was part of the group that, five years ago, took the first $1,000 prize. "It's the last year. We have nothing to lose."

Well, the last year for some of them. There's also sophomore drummer Stephen Ferm, as well as junior pianist Charlie Savage (). Gus' brother, bari saxophonist Peter Bacas, will inherit the Timeless Jazz name once his brother heads off to the halls of higher learning. This year's Morristown's Got Talent is a whole new experience for the freshman, compared to being in the audience five years ago.

"It's a different perspective," Peter said. "I find it cool. It's going to be cool. It's going to be fine."

It was more than fine when a number of the members performed in middle school, eventually taking the top prize at Frelinghuysen.

It only made sense to try out for what would eventually become the Morris Educational Foundation's biggest fundraiser, selling out every year (including this year). "We figured, why not," Gus Bacas said.

Isabelle knows there may be some high expectations associated with their name. "We have a lot to live up to," she said. "We want to show them all what we've done the last five years."

Ryan Gallagher said, however, that it's not just about what's happening on stage that makes Morristown's Got Talent a rewarding experience. "It's also the backstage camaraderie," he said.

"It's a great experience for the whole community. It's good," Gus said.

That said, Timeless Jazz still means to make its presence known its second time around.

"We hope to kick some butt," Isabelle said.

The fifth-annual Morristown's Got Talent will be held Feb. 29 at the Mayo Performing Arts Center. For more information, check out our MGT 2012 guide.