The 2009 Four States Bandmasters’ Association Convention next week will bring a big name to town in the form of Tom “Bones” Malone, a trombone player on the Late Show With David Letterman.

He’ll work as the guest clinician with the convention’s jazz band, which along with two honors bands will perform free for the public on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 2:30 p.m. in the Perot Theatre.

As well, Malone will join the Texarkana Jazz Orchestra the night before on Friday night for a 7 p.m. performance (also free and open to the public) at the Pleasant Grove Performing Arts Center.

“He was with the Blues Brothers and Saturday Night Live band. He’s a big name player,” said Russell Roberts, executive secretary for the FSBA.

The three-day convention brings to town about 200 students and 60 band directors from the Four States area to work, learn and practice together from Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 17.

“All four states are represented,” said Roberts.

Clinics are designed for band directors, and they and the musicians will work at Texas High to put together challenging concerts in two days of rehearsal time. It’s what most bands do in six weeks, said Roberts.

The Saturday afternoon show will feature the jazz, concert and symphonic bands.

Don Colquitt, band director for Texas Middle School, leads the concert band as clinician, and Frank Wickes, bands director at Louisiana State University, is the clinician for the symphonic band.

A non-profit organization that started in 1963, the Four States Bandmasters’ Association promotes instrumental music in regional schools.

For more information about the organization, check out web.mac.com/fourstates on the Internet.