More than 500 students from area high schools and middle schools are expected to showcase their talent in Southeast Missouri State University's 16th annual Clark Terry/ Phi Mu Alpha Jazz Festival along with Southeast's own jazz bands.

Additionally, there will be a guest solo performance by Brad Leali, the lead alto saxophonist for the Harry Connick Jr. Orchestra, during the annual gala concert on Feb. 7. Leali has also previously performed with the Count Basie Orchestra and performed in legendary New York jazz venues such as like the Village Vanguard, Blue Note and Iridium.

He also has many television appearances that include the "Today Show", "The Tonight Show", "Arsenio Hall", BET, and the "Harry Connick Jr. Christmas Special." Most recently, Leali performed at President Barack Obama's 2008 inauguration. Other artists with whom he has played include Frank Foster, Jon Hendricks, George Duke, Robert Downey Jr., Fantasia, Billy Joel, Kid Rock and Brian McKnight.

During the jazz festival at the River Campus, Leali will perform with Southeast's Studio Jazz Ensemble directed by Robert Conger, professor of music at Southeast for a mini-concert at noon on Friday, Feb. 7, and again at the gala concert later in the evening.

Students featured in the Sudio Jazz Ensemble set include Steven Watkins on tenor sax, Matt Flanagan on trombone, Brian Martin on trumpet and Trevor Smith on alto sax. Also performing at the gala concert will be Southeast's Jazz Lab Band directed by Jay Contrino. Students performing in this set include Sam Harris on alto sax, Derek Morrison on tenor sax, Adam Devine on trombone and Brian Martin on trumpet. Leali will perform with the Jazz Lab Band for the piece "I'm Glad There is You."

"I've never had the opportunity to work with Mr. Leali, but I look forward very much to having him work with our bands and perform with them as well," Conger said.

Twenty-five jazz ensembles will perform in front of adjudicators to receive written and recorded comments as well as a live clinic session at the end of their performance.

The bands will be rated as superior, excellent, good or fair and individual citations will be presented for outstanding musicians within each of the visiting bands. Some of the schools expected to participate in the jazz festival are award-winning Cape Girardeau Central High School, Dexter High School, Woodland High School, Kelly High School, as well as junior high bands from Cape Girardeau, Poplar Bluff, Hillsboro and more.

"There are three adjudicators who record feedback during the performance on handheld recorders, which are then burned onto a CD for each band to have, listen to later and learn," Conger said. "In addition, each adjudicator does a short clinic with each band immediately after their performances. It is an educational experience rather than a contest environment.

"I always look forward to listening to the high school and middle school bands and interacting with their directors. Also, having Brad Leali on our campus will certainly be a fantastic experience, not only for myself, but for my students and the high school and middle school students who take part in our festival."

The bands will perform on from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, and from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, in Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall. Admission is free to this daytime event and $10 for the gala concert that begins at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by contacting the River Campus Box Office.

The 2013-2014 jazz concert series will wrap up for the year at 7:30 p.m. on May 1 also in the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall with "Come to the Jazz Party."

"It's going to be great," Conger said of the final jazz concert for the academic year. "We'll be playing more pop-oriented music for that one."