Concert to honor 2011 Leonardi Legacy Award winner

Photo

Shedrick Hobbs

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Local musician Shedrick Hobbs will be honored with the 2011 Leonardi Legacy Award at 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Chestnut Room of Kilcawley Center at Youngstown State University during the Jazz Combos concert. Presented by the Dana School of Music’s Jazz Studies Program, the award recognizes Tony Leonardi, founder of the Jazz Studies Program.

An after-concert jam session will be at The Lemon Grove Cafe, 122 W. Federal St., downtown, at 10 p.m. Former students of Hobbs’ will be invited to perform with him.

The Leonardi Legacy Concert and jam session are free and open to the public.

Hobbs, a drummer, has performed, toured and recorded with numerous jazz musicians of note, including Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt, “Groove” Holmes and George Benson. He also has performed with many popular groups, including The Four Tops, The Temptations and Gladys Knight and the Pips.

Perhaps his greatest contribution to music has been his mentoring of young musicians, many of whom are YSU alumni, including drummer Steve Gadd, Ralph Lalama, Dave Rivello, Jeff Grubbs, Tim Leahey, Phil Palombi, Sherry Luchette, Nathan Douds, Chris Steele, Sean Jones, Joe Kaplowitz, Chris Poulin and Adam Scone.