"The Heart Of Jazz in the Valley: A tribute to Tom McClung and the many other great jazz related artists who have passed on and were apart of the scene here" (or something like that). We will be remembering not only Tom but many of his mentors and collaborators like Yuseff Lateef, Charles Majid Greenlee, Max Roach, Art Steele, Marion Brown, Dave Pinardi, Brother Rick Grant, Attila Zoller, Howard Brodsky, Whitney Cronin, Dave Shapiro, Dave Wertman, Bob Laclair, Richard Eckstein-Jazz and perhaps others that you may suggest. We are hoping to raise enough money to be able to pay for the completion of a two CD project Tom was working on of recordings made in France before he passed and to help his widow Anne make it through the transition. We would also like to start a scholarship fund for aspiring musicians in Tom's name and perhaps seed money for an annual concert to perpetuate that fund. Details still to be worked out. To those of you who I think may be or have already expressed an interest in participating in some way in a concert event celebrating the life and music of Tom. We have settled on the date of Sunday, September 17th from 3-8PM. It will be held at the Gateway City Arts complex in Holyoke and that space and sound system are being donated by it's founder Vitek Kruta. Our thought is to not only honor Tom but to also acknowledge and highlight the many other jazz artists connected to this area who have passed. Tom was a important and influential part of the scene here and his connections to others will be recognized as well. - Paul Arslania
TC Eckstein Vocalese Rick's sister will be performing in tribute as well as a number of Jazz artists from all over. A Press Release is coming out shortly naming all Musicians, Artists, Concert Coordinators etc..

Schedule:
3PM - Never Been to Spain- Michele Feldheim/pno Francis Rahaim/vocals, Dominic Poccia/sax David Elvin/bass
3:15 – Barbara Ween, Carol Smith, Jim Argiro, George Kaye, Claire Arenius
3:30 – Dick Moulding - solo ragtime
3:45 - Gisele Litalien, Freddie Bryant, Wes Brown, Claire Arenius
4 – Moonlight and Morningstar
4:15 - Solo bass - Joe Fonda
4:25 – Ken Forfia and George Kaye _ Crepescule For Nellie
4:35 – Ron Freshly with Ken Forfia and George Kaye)
4:45 - Secondary Messengers- Dick Poccia, Dave Bilodeau on trumpet, Mike Stamm on piano, Mark Dunlap on bass and Bill Matthews on drums.
5 – Jim Argiro Trio and add in Andrea with George Kaye and Jon Fisher
5:15 - T.C. Eckstein, Paul Fuller and Avery Sharpe, Jon Fisher
5:30 - Avery Sharpe- Solo bass
5:45 - Ron Smith Quintet
6 - Lynne Meryl Eugene Uman, Claire Arenius, Jamie MacDonald
6:15 - Patty Carpenter, Eugene, Claire, Dave Arenius (1 song- Stardust)
6:30 – Marion Groves, Ricky Alfonso, John Clark, Chuck Langford, Paul Arslanian, Dave Arenius, Jon Fisher
6:45 - Dave Weidenfeld, Bob Weiner, Paul Arslanian, plus bass
7–. Eshu Bumpus, Bob Weiner, Chuck Langford, Dave Arenius, Paul Arslanian
7:15 - Ann Mags, Paul Arslanian
7:30 Scott Sasanecki Quartet, Jocelyn Pleasant, Warren Byrd, Steve Porter
7:45 - Tony Vacca, with Derrik Jordan on electric violin and Jim Matus on electric lite (Impulse Ensemble)
8PM – Libra Azul (Joe Velez Quintet)
Plus: Performances by the Claire Arenius Tibetan Bowl Ensemble, John Sprague and friends for a dance and music jam, spoken word artist Deon Souldier Ballard and performance artist and flutist Bonnie Kane- times yet to be determined.
Musicians being remembered:
Tom McClung Howard Brofsky
Dave Shapiro Steve Neil
Dave Wertman Brother Rick Grant
Dave Pinardi Whitney Cronin
Rick Eckstein Max Roach
Charles Majid Greenlee Paul Brown
Yusef Latif Bob Laclair
Randy Kaye Attila Zoller
Eddie Jones Shelton “Fatman” Laster