Matt Finley’s Rio JAZZ, the Hudson Valley’s premier Brazilian jazz band, will feature guest artist and Spyro Gyra drummer Joel Rosenblatt when it plays at Dutchess Community College’s Dutchess Theater on Wednesday, March 26. This 16th annual concert is the culminating event in DCC’s Lyceum Series. The music starts at 7:30 p.m. and the program is free and open to the public. The concert is co-sponsored by DCC Student Activities and the Music Performance Trust Fund. For information, contact the Office of Student Activities at (845) 431-8050 or visit www.riojazz.com

Rio JAZZ, formed by trumpeter, composer, and arranger Matt Finley in 1988, features the music of Brazil, jazz standards, and original compositions. Finley said the music is cutting edge, not what you can hear on the radio, and definitely not stuck in a time warp. The band performs at select locations during the year, always where there is free admission. Guest drummer Joel Rosenblatt performed with Rio Jazz last summer at its concert at Bolton Landing on Lake George.

Rosenblatt joined Spyro Gyra in 1990, bringing his Latin credentials and jazz chops to the band. “While touring and recording with Spyro keeps me very busy, I have continued to do as many other projects as my schedule will allow,” Rosenblatt said. In addition to his work with Rio Jazz, he also conducts drum clinics across the country – “when I can dovetail them into Spyro Gyra's tour schedule – easier said than done!”

Before his work with Spyro Gyra, Rosenblatt toured with Matt Guitar Murphy (from the Blues Brothers), playing blues shuffles every night for a year. He joined Pure Prairie League and toured and recorded with them for a year. In the early 80's he auditioned for Michel Camilo, a Dominican Pianist, and worked with him for 4 years, which led to other great jazz gigs with Paquito D'Rivera, Eliane Elias and Steve Khan.

DCC’s Lyceum Series has run for more than two decades at the College in Poughkeepsie. The program gives DCC students an opportunity to experience the kind of speakers, theatrical events, and musical presentations they would see at a four-year institution. These are programs with the ability to change lives, according to DCC Director of Student Activities Mike Weida. This spring’s Lyceums have included a one-man theatrical presentation by actor Geoffrey Ewing on Mohammed Ali, Gail Buckley speaking on the History of Black Americans in the U.S. Military, and Riffat Hassan speaking on Women In Islam. Juliet Funt will lead an intensive discussion on eating disorders on Thursday, March 18. Last semester’s Lyceum programs dealt with issues as diverse as hate crimes, cloning, the origins of Islamic extremism, and relationships between genders.