Nearly 50 musicians who studied with Tony Leonardi will come back to Youngstown State University to pay tribute to the educator.

Saturday will be the fourth Tony Leonardi Legacy Alumni Reunion Tribute Concert since his death in 2001.

Leonardi started at YSU as a student and was part of a group of students who would get together for jam sessions. It was the first step in what ultimately evolved into a formally accredited jazz program at YSU.

Leonardi earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the university and became a full-time faculty member in 1979.

As a musician, he toured the U.S. and Europe with his own quintet, the Jazz Explorers, and as a member of the Woody Herman Orchestra, recording four albums with the group. He also played with artists such as Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr., Tony Bennett, Buddy Rich and Stan Kenton.

As director of the jazz studies program, he gave those same opportunities to his students, bringing in such musicians as Kenton, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, James Moody, Clark Terry, Benny Golson, Kenny Burrell and Chuck Mangione to work with them.

But it was Leonardi himself who left the lasting impression. Several of the musicians performing Saturday were asked to share memories of Leonardi and his impact.

Bill Bodine, a Grammy-winning composer who has worked with such performers as Van Morrison, Olivia Newton-John and Cher, said, “Tony taught me, through his actions, that being uncompromising in your quest for musical excellence was acceptable and expected behavior. The notion that it was ‘just music’ no longer was valid after working with Tony. I embraced that high standard and demanded more of myself and my playing.

“I left YSU before the jazz program was invented by Tony but found his high standards and expectations put me well up the musical food chain when establishing myself in Los Angeles. Tony allowed me to make myself a better musician.”

David Perrico, who is the music director and arranger for the band that plays for Las Vegas Raiders football games at Allegiant Stadium, also commented on Leonardi’s high standards.

“Tony Leonardi expected nothing less than the best from you, and he knew how to get the best out of you,” Perrico said. “He never settled for mediocrity. His professionalism, musicianship and leadership were unparalleled.”

Mike Kamuf, an arranger, composer, musician and educator whose compositions and arrangements have been performed by military bands and the Woody Herman and Tommy Dorsey orchestras, first met Leonardi when he still was in high school.

“At that point in my life, I had never met a human with that much passion for music, not to mention jazz,” Kamuf said. “I was hooked and spent the next several years soaking up as much information as I could get from him. Tony was so giving of his time and talents, whether it was grabbing lunch or a quick cup of coffee to pick his brain or a more serious sit down in his office about a musical or academic issue. He always challenged each student to be a better musician and person. I was so fortunate Tony was in my life both as mentor and friend.”

Leonardi didn’t confine his teaching to the classroom.

Glen Wilson, who recorded and toured with Bruce Hornsby and has performed with Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga and Bonnie Raitt, said, “At his house, we listened to jazz records we had never seen with musicians we had never heard of. What an education. Every time I recorded an album, my first thought was, ‘How would Tony like this?’ He’s with me always on the bandstand.”

James Weidman, a Grammy-nominated musician and professor at the University of Georgia, said Leonardi’s love and passion for music was an inspiration to all of his students, and he particularly enjoyed the times that Leonardi would join in with the student ensembles.

“Those were great learning experiences,” Weidman said. “He showed us the correct way to play tunes. He knew the hip changes that the jazz masters played, and he was a hard swinging bass player.”

Kamuf and Dave Rivello will conduct Saturday’s concert. Other scheduled performers include Darren Allen, Brian Burse, Jeff Bush, Doug Butchy, Tom Cody, Leslie Core, Matt Corey, David D’Angelo, Harold Danko, Ted DiSanti, Eric Dregne, David Evans, Jim Grinta, Jeff Grubbs, Tim Harker, Doug James, David Kana, David Lalama, Tim Leahey, Jonathan Linko, Sherry Luchette, Jim Masters, Bob Matchett, Frank Messuri, Jim Metzendorf, Mike Niro, John Olsson, Patti Olsson, Greg Parnell, Darryl Pellegrini, Lou PIsani, Christopher Poulin, James Richley, Jason Rigby, Tom Ruggieri, Shane Russo, David Shoff, Darryl White, Tyghe Williams and Jonathan Willis.

If you go …

WHAT: Tony Leonardi Legacy Alumni Reunion Tribute Concert

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Ford Theater, Bliss Hall, Youngstown State University

HOW MUCH: Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for YSU students and children ages 18 and younger and are available online at www.ysu.tix.com and at the University Theatre box office one hour before the performance.