Special to Jazz Buffs

String of Pearls is solidly in the tradition of 50s and 60s West Coast jazz. Don Conway, the alto/baritone sax player who founded and leads the band, is recognizably a contemporary of Bud Shank and the late Stan Getz, Paul Desmond, and Art Pepper.

The octet format adopted by Pearls was inspired by the mid-size ensembles of Miles Davis, Dave Pell, and others. Such groups combine the advantages of a big band (a full rhythm section and tight ensemble work) with those of a jazz combo (plenty of improvisation).

String of Pearls's book, which includes both published and unpublished arrangements, is unique to this region. We have some 200 quality octet arrangements by the likes of Shorty Rogers, Marty Paich, Bill Holman, and Dave Wolpe.

String of Pearls's book, which includes both published and unpublished arrangements, is unique to this region. We have some 200 quality octet arrangements by the likes of Shorty Rogers, Marty Paich, Bill Holman, and Dave Wolpe.

Pearls's appearances are regularly listed in KCSM's "Jazz Calendar" (FM 91.1) and in Jazz Buff, the monthly hard-copy newsletter of the Palo Alto Jazz Alliance (info at http://www.jazzbuff.org).