The Jazz Mandolin Project was led by mandolinist Jamie Masefield, a onetime member of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Formed in 1993, the improvisational ensemble's original lineup also included bassist Stacey Starkweather and drummer Gabe Jarrett; they released a self-titled album in 1996 before disbanding late the following year. Masefield then assembled a new Jazz Mandolin Project lineup featuring drummer Jon Fishman (best known for his work in jam band icon Phish) and upright bassist Chris Dahlgren, recording the LP Tour de Flux; by 1999, Fishman had been replaced by drummer Ari Hoenig, with Xenoblast appearing a year later. ~ Jason Ankeny