Fundraiser benefit concert. Featuring Les Benedict – Trombone Don Shelton – Clarinet / Sax Doug McDonald – Guitar Jeff Colella – Piano Putter Smith – Bass Kendall Kay – Drums. Donations made to the American Jazz Institutes non-commercial jazz radio station, KAJI 95.3 FM are tax-deductable, A 501 C-3 non-profit corp. Supporting jazz and music education programs for young musicians throughout Southern California.

Don Shelton is a multi – woodwind and horn player who specializes on the clarinet, flute, and alto sax. Don is also a talented vocalist who was a member of The Hi-Los, and The Singers Unlimited, two very popular vocal groups. Shelton has appeared on over 200 recordings spanning 7 decades with several of the great big bands since the 1960’s to many present day contemporary musical artists.

Trombonist Les Benedict has played with many jazz, pop, and rock greats, and is extremely versatile, playing in many different styles. Les is an active clinician and instructor, having taught at the Idyllwild Arts, College of the Canyons, UClA, and USC Pianist Jeff Colella is an accompanist, recording artist, arranger, clinician, and music teacher.

Jeff was Lou Rawls pianist and conductor for 16 years, and musical director for vocalist Jack Jones.

Colella has worked with dozens of world class musicians, and is on the staff of The College Of Contemporary Music in L. A.

Bassist Putter Smith is an educator, composer, and skilled musician who has performed and recorded with 100’s of world class musicians for over 5 decades.  He is grateful for choosing a life of music, that he says, is not easy, but it is so cool.

Guitarist Doug McDonald has performed on a dozen of his own recordings and plays in a swinging, relaxed style that is a reminder of post – bop guitarists Herb Ellis and Charlie Byrd.

Drummer Kendall Kay, a graduate of North Texas State, has performed and recorded with numerous world class musicians over the last 30 years.

The 6 members of The American Jazz Institute All – Stars