Lewiston Jazz Festival gets new board chair

Lewiston Porter Sentinel, January 9, 2010

At the December 2009 meeting of the Lewiston Jazz Festival board of directors, Carol Calato, president of Calato Manufacturing, was elected chairwoman. Calato Manufacturing is the leading manufacturer of Regal Tip drumsticks and other percussion accessories. It is based in Niagara Falls.

Calato has served on the Jazz Festival board since shortly after its inception and served most recently as vice chair. In addition to her service on the board, she serves on many national committees within the music industry including the Music Distributors Association, the National Association of School Music Dealers, the Percussive Arts Society and the Percussion Marketing Council.

She was appointed to the Governor’s Export Advisory Council by former New York governor Mario Cuomo, and was awarded the Percussive Arts Society President’s Industry Award. Just recently, Calato was appointed to the board of directors of the National Association of Music Merchants.

Calato succeeds Richard Soluri as chair.

“This was a natural transition for Carol. We are privileged to have someone who is not only well connected in the music world, but who is equally connected and respected as a leader in Western New York,” Soluri said.

Additional 2010 officers include: Soluri, vice chairman; Karen Hamam of the New York Power Authority, secretary; and Margaret Toohey of Lewiston Insurance Agency, treasurer.

Directors for 2010 include: Gloria Baker of First Niagara Bank, Deanna Alterio Brennan of the Niagara USA Chamber, Peter John Certo of Certo Brothers Distributing, Jon DiBernardo of Water Street Landing, Jeff Jordan of Take Shape for Life, David Lacki of the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, Skip Mazenauer of Niagara Frontier Publications, former Town of Lewiston supervisor Fred Newlin, George Osborne of Artpark & Company, Keith Radford of WKBW TV Channel 7, and Dennis Tosetto.

Associate members include Lou Paonessa of NYPA and Cara Turner of Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.

The executive director is Sandra Hays Mies, and the music coordinator is Ron Corsaro.

This year’s Historic Lewiston Jazz Festival is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 27, and Saturday, Aug. 28. It is anticipated that more than 150 jazz musicians will perform in nearly 40 different acts.

For more information, visit www.LewistonJazz.com.