Clarke, Biondi in the Swing.

Byline: Fred Crafts The Register-Guard

Two local jazz standouts, trumpeter Tim Clarke and saxophonist Paul Biondi, will be the guest artists when the Eugene big band Swing Shift performs March 7.

Clarke, of Springfield, is the featured performer of the Jazz Collective, Soultet, Lo Nuestro, Group Therapy, Emerald City Jazz Kings and his own jazz trio. He also writes music for computer games for such companies as Sierra, Sony and Sega. His tune "Modern Living" will be performed March 7.

Biondi, who moved from Los Angeles to Florence in 1998, played in jazz bands, studio sessions and orchestras, backing up such artists as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Mel Torme, Ella Fitzgerald, Barbra Streisand, Ray Charles, Carmen McRae and Lena Horne.

After graduating from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, he toured with Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Ike and Tina Turner, and Smokey Robinson.

Swing Shift, directed by Jim Olsen, will perform at 7:30 p.m. March 7 at the South Eugene High School auditorium. The school's jazz ensemble, under the direction of Ron Black, also will perform.

Tickets are $10 for general admission and $8 for students. Outlets include Cat's Meow Jazz & Blues (686-8742), Pacific Winds Music (343-5660) and high school box office (334-4882).

On March 8, Swing Shift will be featured in the fourth annual Coastal Steamer Spring Concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Florence Events Center, 715 Quince St., Florence.

The concert is a benefit for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Lane County. Tickets are $10 through the events center box office, [phone].

UO Jazz Cafe

University of Oregon student jazz combos, under the direction of associate professor Steve Owen, will improvise on standards and originals in a Jazz Cafe session at 8 p.m. today in Room 178 at the UO School of Music, 961 E. 18th Ave.

Tickets, available at the door, are $5 for general admission, $3 for students and senior citizens. Light refreshments will be available for purchase.