L-DOPA (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) is a chemical that is made and used as part of the normal biology of some animals and plants. Some animals including humans make it via biosynthesis from the amino acid L-tyrosine. L-DOPA is the precursor to the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine (noradrenaline), and epinephrine (adrenaline) collectively known as catecholamines. L-DOPA can be manufactured and in its pure form is sold as a psychoactive drug with the INN levodopa; trade names include Sinemet, Parcopa, Atamet, Stalevo, Madopar, Prolopa, etc.). As a drug it is used in the clinical treatment of Parkinson's disease and dopamine-responsive dystonia.

L-DOPA crosses the protective blood–brain barrier, whereas dopamine itself cannot. Thus, L-DOPA is used to increase dopamine concentrations in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and dopamine-responsive dystonia. This treatment was originally developed by George Cotzias and his coworkers. Once L-DOPA has entered the central nervous system, it is converted into dopamine by the enzyme aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, also known as DOPA decarboxylase (DDC). Pyridoxal phosphate (vitamin B₆) is a required cofactor in this reaction, and may occasionally be administered along with L-DOPA, usually in the form of pyridoxine.

Walter Maynard Ferguson (May 4, 1928 – August 23, 2006) was a Canadian jazz musician and bandleader. He came to prominence playing in Stan Kenton's orchestra, before forming his own band in 1957. He was noted for being able to play accurately in a remarkably high register, and for his bands, which served as stepping stones for up-and-coming talent.

Ferguson was born in Verdun, Quebec (now part of Montreal). Encouraged by his mother and father (both musicians), Maynard was playing piano and violin by the age of four. Newsreel footage exists of Ferguson as a child prodigy violinist. At nine years old, he heard a cornet for the first time in his local church and asked his parents to purchase one for him. At age thirteen, Ferguson first soloed as a child prodigy with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Orchestra and was heard frequently on the CBC, notably featured on a "Serenade for Trumpet in Jazz" written for him by Morris Davis. Ferguson won a scholarship to the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal where he studied from 1943 through 1948 with Bernard Baker.

Laura Stevenson (born April 25, 1984) is an American singer-songwriter based in Long Island, New York and keyboardist for musical collective, Bomb the Music Industry!.

Laura Stevenson was raised in Nassau County, New York, where she was introduced to music at an early age. Her grandfather, Harry Simeone, was a successful pianist and composer whose works included "The Little Drummer Boy" and "Do You Hear What I Hear?". Simeone's wife (and Laura's grandmother), Margaret McCravy was a singer for the jazz bandleader Benny Goodman. Not until leaving her home for college, did Laura begin both playing guitar and writing songs.

Growing up in Rockville Centre, Laura befriended members of The Arrogant Sons of Bitches. After they disbanded in 2005, Laura was appointed as a keyboardist for lead singer Jeff Rosenstock's new project, Bomb The Music Industry!. At this point, Laura had written a number of her own songs and was performing solo. While recording and touring with Bomb The Music Industry!, Laura began to piece together her own band, which was dubbed Laura Stevenson & the Cans.