Last year, the Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair, through fundraising efforts, donated a 9-foot Steinway Concert piano to the Upper St. Clair High School Theatre.

This year, the foundation's board of trustees wanted to find a way to showcase the piano while bringing more art to the area and a different musical genre to the region.

One name fit the bill to do it all: Nine-time Grammy winner Eddie Palmieri, a world-renowned pianist and band leader of salsa and Latin jazz orchestras whose career spans 50 years.

At 7:30 p.m. March 19, Mr. Palmieri and his Latin Jazz Band will perform on the Upper St. Clair High School Theatre stage.

The show is sponsored by the foundation and MCG Jazz, the performance arm of the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild. Its mission is to preserve, present and promote jazz.

The Upper St. Clair High School Jazz Ensemble will be the opening act.

Earlier that day, Mr. Palmieri will meet with local high school music students and teachers in the high school theater for an invitation-only workshop, hosted by Marty Ashby, executive producer of MCG Jazz.

Born in Spanish Harlem in 1936, Mr. Palmieri, a pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader, has been awarded nine Grammy awards by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. The most recent was a collaboration with renowned trumpter Brian Lynch entitled "Simpatico," which was named the Best Latin Jazz Album of 2006.

Proceeds benefit the foundation, a nonprofit committed to creating a sense of community by enhancing the quality of life for Upper St. Clair residents. It is governed by a volunteer board of trustees; it operates independently of the township and school district.

Its five focus areas are education and lifelong learning; fine and performing arts; recreation and leisure; science; and technology.

Since 1993, the foundation has returned to the community more than $1 million in grants and matching funds. It also has given the community donated goods and services.

"Everyone I know who has seen [Mr. Palmieri] has said he is amazing," said foundation vice chairwoman Becky Stern.

"He's an A-list player but he has never been to Pittsburgh and we're excited that we're able to get him,'' she said.

Tickets are $40 for general admission and $15 for students with identification and may be purchased through www.ProArtsTickets.org.

Any remaining tickets will be available for purchase at the door on performance night by cash, credit card or check. For information, call 412-851-2599.

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