PLATTSBURGH -- The 32nd Annual Plattsburgh State Jazz Festival features monster jazz saxophonist Gregory Tardy and pianist Helen Sung.

The impetus for these artists coming to Plattsburgh State began with student Peter Fiore.

"He's a really good drummer and composer," said Dr. Rick Davies, Music Department chair. "Peter came here from Berklee (College of Music) to study with our drum teacher, Gabe Jarrett. Peter is a great fan of Greg's. I said, Why don't we bring him down?'"

MUSIC MINISTRY

Tardy studied classical clarinet with Russell Dagon and Jack Snavely. An introduction, as a teen, to legend John Coltrane made jazz and its articulation through the saxophone Tardy's passion. Since he dedicated his life to Jesus Christ in 1997, it has become a music ministry.

"John Coltrane is the greatest tenor jazz player of all time, but Wayne Shorter is a bigger influence, particularly composition wise," Tardy said. "Joe Henderson was a really big influence on me."

Some fans link everything Tardy composes to Coltrane, even one song to "A Love Supreme."

"It had nothing to do with A Love Supreme.' They read one thing, and they start plugging in what I do. Back in the '80s, I was influenced by a lot of people that I played with: Andrew Hill, Dave Douglas, Nicholas Payton."

Tardy also cites peers Mark Turner and Chris Potter as influences.

"And whole lot of other people that people don't necessarily know their names, but they are phenomenal musicians. My music is based off those experiences and also the music I studied, the jazz masters and some of my peers, once again."

CRITICAL ACCLAIM

"Crazy Love" was his first solo project, released in 1992, the same year he joined Elvin Jones Jazz Machine. When Tardy relocated to New York City, he hooked up with Tom Harrell, Dave Douglas and Wynton Marsalis, to name a few. Joe Lovano, Chris Potter and Ravi Coltrane are among the noted saxophonists he has worked with. Tardy has been called a Wynton Marsalis disciple.

"I love his playing, but I've only played two gigs with him. I played with Andrew Hill seven years.

In 1998, Tardy released the critically acclaimed "Serendipity" (Impulse Records) for which he was nominated "Best Debut Artist" for the New York Jazz Awards.

His millennium release, "Abundance," (Palmetto Records) was also critically acclaimed. His 2005 "The Truth" (Steeplechase) featured special guests Marcus Printup (trumpet), Sean Conly (bass), Jaimeo Brown (drums) and Sung (piano).