By Mary L. Grady

Mercer Island High School marching band members are holding an extraordinary fundraiser this Saturday — an event that is right up their alley.

World-renowned trumpet artist, composer and Island resident, Allen Vizzutti, will perform in concert with the student musicians at a fundraiser to be held at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, at the high school. The Islander band needs to raise $250,000 to march in the 2006 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif.

Both a composer and a performance artist, classically trained Vizzutti performs across music genres and has recorded dozens of albums.

Vizzutti has played with a myriad of artists and ensembles including Woody Herman, Chick Corea, Doc Severinson, the NBC Show Band, the Airmen of Note, Chuck Mangione and Japan’s NHK Symphony Orchestra. The musician has also been featured in solo performances at the Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, Newport Jazz Festival, Montreax Jazz Festival and Lincoln Center in New York City.

Vizzutti has been heard on numerous television shows and movie sound tracks including “Back the Future” and “Star Trek.” The musician has written original compositions as well as several trumpet technique books. He holds graduate degrees from the Eastman School of Music.

“In the world of trumpet, Allen’s name is as well-respected as any musician on the planet. He is at the pinnacle in ability across different genres but is also committed to education and the value of music in everyday life,” said Islander musician and high school band director, Parker Bixby.

The high school was able to snag the busy performer despite a busy schedule of recitals and concerts, many in Europe, Japan and Australia. Vizzutti has offered to help many times before, Bixby said.

Vizzutti and his wife Laura, a classically trained pianist and musician herself, are involved with the band more than just musically. Two of their children are currently in music programs at the high school and both will march with the Islander band in California.

Their oldest child, Marcus, a junior, plays the trumpet. Nicholas, a freshman, plays the acoustic bass and the tuba. A daughter, Gabriella, 13, plays the violin and the piano, and is also in a garage band, her mother said.

The trip to the parade and all that leads up to it, is a gift for the young musicians, said Vizzutti.

“This is a huge opportunity to educate the kids, not only in their music but in interacting together to practice, raise the money and all that is involved,” he noted. “The educators know that and will make it a great experience.”

People wait their whole careers to be able to work with a musician like Allen, Bixby explained.

“The opportunity to work with Allen is incredible for kids,” he said. “In addition to his undeniable ability, his approach is to make the students feel like they are his own back-up band. We are so lucky to be able to do this.”

“After a rehearsal, one student came up to him and said that it was a life-changing experience for him.”

“Allen is very modest. He really does want the focus to be on the kids — but he needs to get over it,” Bixby laughed.

For tickets and information, call 232-1919.