Saxophonist and flutist James Moody, who gained fame with Dizzy Gillespie's big band and combo, will perform with the DePaul University Jazz Ensemble at the School of Music's March 1 "Jazz is For Lovers" concert.

The concert begins at 8 p.m at DePaul's Merle Reskin Theatre, 60 E. Balbo Drive.

Moody is an appropriate choice to headline the annual DePaul concert held near Valentine's Day because much of his music celebrates romance. His 1996 album for Warner Bros. Records, "Young at Heart," is a tribute to the love songs of Frank Sinatra that have entertained generations of couples. Moody's signature song is the timeless 1949 improvisational masterpiece, "Moody's Mood for Love,"

Moody, 71, is also known for his efforts as a jazz ambassador, promoting and playing the music among young people. "He's one of the few remaining legendary figures of jazz and it's an invaluable experience for the ensemble to play with him," said Bob Lark, director of the ensemble, made up of 18 talented musicians who are students in DePaul's Jazz Studies Program. "We look forward to the concert because he's such a talented, charismatic and entertaining performer."

Tickets for the concert are $10 to $25. For tickets, call 312/922-1999.

About the DePaul Jazz Ensemble

The Jazz Ensemble, 18 undergraduate and graduate students in DePaul University's Jazz Studies program, has had the opportunity to play and record with a variety of great musicians through their "Jazz is For Lovers" annual concert and their relationship with Reference Recordings. Past "Jazz is for Lovers" performers have included singer Nancy Wilson, trumpeter Clark Terry and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.

Recognizing the group's talent, Reference approached the ensemble in 1993, offering to promote and record the group. The ensemble has since released three CDs on the label: "Ebony Concerto" with CSO clarinetist and DePaul faculty members John Bruce Yeh; "Big Band Basie," a retrospective of Basie's Music with Terry and Saxophonist Frank Wess, and "Clark Terry Express," also with Terry.

Bob Lark, director of the ensemble, teaches jazz trumpet, jazz improvisation and jazz pedagogy at DePaul's School of Music. He is active as a soloist, clinician, guest conductor and music reviewer. Lark plays both jazz and classical trumpet and has appeared with ensembles throughout the United States, Canada and Australia. Under his leadership, the DePaul Jazz Ensemble has earned a reputation as one of the nation's top collegiate big bands.

About James Moody

Moody was born in Savannah, Ga. and raised in Newark, New Jersey. He began his musical career at age 16 with an alto sax that was a gift from his uncle.

Following service in the U.S. Air Force, Moody joined Dizzy Gillespie's big band in 1947, beginning an association that brought Moody worldwide exposure and helped shape his improvisational style. While with Gillespie, he recorded with trumpeter Howard McGhee and vibraphonist Milt Jackson (Dial Records). He also made his recording debut as a leader with "James Moody and his Bee Bop Men" (Blue Note), employing players from Gillespie's band.

In 1949, Moody moved to Europe, where he recorded his renowned version of "I'm in the Mood for Love." He returned to the United States in 1951 and worked frequently with Dinah Washington and Eddie Jefferson. In 1963, he rejoined Gillespie and performed in the trumpeter's quintet for the rest of the decade.

In 1985, Moody's career received a boost with a "Best Jazz Instrumental Performance" Grammy nomination for his playing on Manhattan Transfer's "Vocalise" album. From 1986 to 1991, he recorded four albums on the Novus BMG label. A 1995 live performance of Moody and several jazz greats who gathered for Moody's 70th birthday party became his next CD, "Moody's Party," (Telarc). Moody followed this with "Young at Heart" on Warner Bros. Records in 1996.