By: MICHAEL J. WILLIAMS - Staff Writer

Among others, the band featured Menifee resident John Tribelhorn, a University of Redlands bound-trumpeter who exhibited the chops of a professional section leader, and violinist Antonio Pontarelli, already a virtuoso and gifted jazz soloist at the age of 13.

One spot Saturday that exemplified the electrifying spontaneity that is the trademark of jazz came when Tribelhorn
and Pontarelli were featured as guest soloists with Cole and his band. Each got a chance to improvise on the Thelonious Monk blues composition "Straight, No Chaser."

Cole was so delighted by Pontarelli's playing after he tore up a couple choruses, the veteran altoist kept urging him to take more, and later when they were trading ad-libs in four-bar segments, the precocious violinist held his own with Cole,inspiring the veteran to blow line after effusive line. Booting the soloists on was one of the greats, bassist Marshall Hawkins, director of the Idyllwild Arts Academy's jazz program . . . .

The proceeds from the admission events and donations are going toward an effort to create a cultural arts center in the region.

It might not be another Harold's, but it could give the area recognition as a place where music, and jazz in particular, is thriving.

Michael J. Williams is a Californian staff writer