Buffalo jazz great Bobby Militello to be special guest on July 19 BPO concert

Buffalo-born jazz great Bobby Militello will join the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Brubeck Brothers Quartet for "A Tribute to Dave Brubeck" at 7 p.m. Friday, July 19, at Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle, Buffalo.

Militello was born in Buffalo in 1950 and graduated from Lafayette High School. Among the many highlights of his musical career was a nearly 30-year performance stint with the Dave Brubeck Quartet. Militello traveled the world with Brubeck, appearing live and on recordings and television specials. He also performed with Doc Severinsen and the "Tonight Show" Band. He recorded with Maynard Ferguson and produced his first album, "Bobby M Blow," with executive producer Rick James. He appears on more than 150 recordings, and has been a featured soloist with the BPO on many occasions. He presently has the Bobby Militello Quartet and performs with the George Caldwell Quintet in the Western New York region.

Militello is also a fixture on the region's nightlife scene, as the former owner of The Tralf, part owner of the Bijou Grille in downtown Buffalo, and owner of Citta di Militello in Amherst. He is a 1995 inductee to the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.

The Brubeck Brothers Quartet was founded by two of Dave Brubeck's sons. Militello will join the Brubeck Brothers Quartet on stage, and will perform at a post-concert party, which is free with any ticket to the concert.

Doors to the hall open at 5 p.m. The Whole Hog and Sweet Hearth food trucks will be on site before the concert, and patrons are invited to come early, sample their wares or pack a picnic supper, and enjoy the grounds of the hall. For tickets and further information, call 716-885-5000 or visit www.bpo.org.