Bassist Marcus Shelby composed this work after receiving the Haas Foundation's Creative Work Fund. Director Val Hindrickson introduced the play "The Lights" to Marcus, and the play became a vehicle for his inspiration to create this, "The Lights Suite". There are many thematical ideas in the play, which parallel the current state of affairs in San Francisco. Shelby's big band includes Joel Ryan, Gavin Distasi, Matt Clark, Brutus Jeffries, Rob Barics, Tom Greisser & others.