Flathead Valley LIVE on Stage is bringing jazz saxophonist Rob Verdi to Kalispell as the next act on their landmark 75th-season roster. “SAXsational,” featuring Verdi and the Flathead High School symphonic and jazz bands, will be Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at the Flathead High School Performance Hall, 644 Fourth Ave. W., Kalispell.

“SAXsational” is a unique musical, educational and community performance. The concert event combines the professional skill of Verdi with student and community bands around the country. Verdi’s 2014-2015 tour of “SAXsational” has included about 70 concert stops. The performance in Kalispell will give Flathead High School musicians the opportunity to play a few selections with the seasoned jazz artist, and is supported in part by a grant from the Montana Arts Council.

“We’re so fortunate to be able to have a performer of his caliber here in Kalispell,” said Betsy Wood, Flathead Valley LIVE on Stage’s publicity chair and previous board president.

Verdi is a freelance musician based in Los Angeles. He is a founding member of the professional ensemble Side Street Strutters Jazz Band, which has been the house jazz band at the Disneyland Resort since 1985.

Verdi received his Music Education Degree in 1984 from Arizona State University. He currently tours as a solo artist and conducts jazz workshops for the Disney Magic Music Days Guest Talent program.

Verdi also has a passion for collecting rare and unusual musical instruments. His collection includes almost 100 saxophones and more than 250 wind, brass and percussion instruments. He has recorded two self-produced solo albums, “Prose and Conn-versations, featuring the Conn-O-Sax” (2005) and “Saxophobia” (2007).

Flathead Valley LIVE on Stage, formerly Community Concerts and then Flathead Valley Concerts Association, has presented entertainment to the local community since 1939. The organization has brought acts such as the Gothard Sisters and the original Von Trapp Family Singers to the Flathead over the years.

This season, the group’s 75th, has included shows featuring Wai Mizutani, Idara Aguinaga and Matt Herskowitz. The final show of the season will be April 21, and features fiddler Alex DePue and guitarist Miquel de Hoyos.

“We’re so happy to have these two on our series,” Wood said. “They have appeared together as feature entertainers with the International Bluegrass Music Association and with the Philadelphia Orchestra. DePue and de Hoyos bring us a supercharged, genre-crossing repertoire.”

In addition to bringing international acts to the local community, Flathead Valley LIVE on Stage is also responsible for the Steinway New York grand piano housed in the Flathead High School Performance Hall. The piano was originally purchased by the group in 1988 when it was still known as Community Concerts. The funds came by way of donations from a variety of individuals, civic groups and businesses, as well as a large grant from Plum Creek Timber Company. The piano was officially dedicated in March 1989 at a recital featuring local pianists Robert Hager and Kay Lund.

In 2013 the piano was tuned up and refinished. The Flathead High School music department has full use of the piano at no cost. Other groups using the performance hall can rent the piano from Flathead Valley LIVE on Stage for a fee.

Flathead Valley LIVE on Stage is a membership-driven organization. Season memberships can be purchased online at www.flatheadvalleyliveonstage.org, at one of the series events, or directly from a board member or volunteer. The 2015-2016 season performances will be announced in early spring, coinciding with the annual spring membership drive. According to Wood, “buying a season membership in the spring can save as much as 50 percent or more from buying single seats.”

“SAXsational” is a series subscription concert; however, single tickets are also available for $30 for adults and seniors, $15 for students and $75 for families. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at www.flatheadvalleyliveonstage.org.

For more information, call 752-0605 (Kalispell), 862-3641 (Whitefish), 837-1026 (Bigfork), 260-0056 (Lakeside) or 257-7689 (Columbia Falls) or visit www.flatheadvalleyliveonstage.org.

Entertainment editor Stefanie Johnson can be reached at 758-4439 or ThisWeek@dailyinterlake.com.