Westbury's own Johhny Blowers wowed jazz enthusiasts from across Long Island this past Sunday, when the 90-year-old percussionist led a local free concert commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Louis Armstrong.

Johnny Blowers and the Harlem Blues and Jazz Legends appeared at The Roslyn Presbyterian Church in Roslyn, drawing hundreds of local residents. During the standing-room-only show, the band performed a range of jazz and blues classics, including "Fats" Waller's Honeysuckle Rose, and Benny Goodman's Sing, Sing, Sing. At one point in the concert, audience members were clearly impressed by the skill and stamina displayed by Blowers in a lengthy drum solo, and were moved to a standing ovation.

"I'm in Seventh Heaven! I thought it was absolutely fantastic. I've never heard anything better," commented Anne Sweat of Westbury, a beaming audience member and fan of Blowers. "He's a genius. He's a legend," she said of her fellow Westbury resident.

During the intermission, Blowers revealed his secret for performing like a young man in his prime. "I love it," he said. "I'll be doing this 'til I die."

The band was formed in 1973, and each member has had a significant role in the history of American music. They have all played, recorded, or toured with the greats of Jazz, including Louis Armstrong, "Fats" Waller, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. The group has been performing at concerts throughout the world this year to celebrate Louis Armstrong's birthday, including the American Embassy and the Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow, a 12-day tour in Sweden, and the University of Mexico City.

Armstrong, an icon in American Jazz, was born on Aug. 4, 1901, in one of the poorest sections of New Orleans. He overcame poverty to become one of the most beloved musicians in American history, and an international celebrity who was admired not only for his instrumental and vocal talent, but also his infectious optimism. His philosophy was summarized in the spoken introduction to his 1970 recording, It's a Wonderful World. "And all I'm saying is, see what a wonderful world it would be if only we would give it a chance. Love, baby, love. That's the secret. Yeah."

When Armstrong died on July 6, 1971, it was front-page news around the world, and his funeral was attended by more than 25,000 mourners. Jazz musician Dizzy Gillespie, in 1971, described Armstrong's incomparable place in the history of his genre. "If it weren't for him there wouldn't be any of us," he said.

The members of Johhny Blowers and The Harlem Blues and Jazz Legends, too, are appreciative of Armstrong's profound impact. The members are: Johnny Blowers on drums, Edwin Swanston on piano, David "Bubba" Brooks on tenor saxophone, Al Casey on guitar, and Carline Ray on bass. Each has had quite a career.

Blowers was Frank Sinatra's drummer for 11 years - "all through the Columbia years," he recalled during Sunday's performance. "What a guy - I miss him," he said, describing the legendary vocalist as a friend who treated him and fellow band members well. "He gave more respect to the musician than anyone." said Blowers.

Johhny, who is originally from South Carolina, started his career at age 8, and over the years has also played and recorded with Eddie Condon, Pee Wee Russell, "Wild" Bill Davidson, Bobby Hacket, Muggsy Spanier and the big bands of Bunny Berrigan, Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman and Benny Goodman. In addition, he recorded with Sidney Bechet, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.

Swanston, a pianist, composer, arranger and vocal coach, is a native New Yorker who got his start on "Swing Street" (52nd Street), playing for trumpeter "Hot Lips" Page. He played with Gene Krupa, Erskine Hawkins, The Delta Rhythm Boys, as well as Thelma Carpenter and Jimmy Rushing. His compositions have been recorded by Duke Ellington and George Shearing, and in the mid 1940s, he spent several years playing with Louis Armstrong. He also was a music teacher in the public schools in the Bronx for several years, and has conducted a music internship program in Westbury Public Schools. During Sunday's event, he noted that he began playing the piano at an early age, and still enjoys group performances. "You need to keep music alive," he said. "Young or old - you play together, and you keep music alive."

Brooks did extensive touring and recording with the Sonny Thompson Band, and joined the New York Jazz scene in 1944. He performed with organist/pianist Bill Doggett for some 19 years. He has also been with Ray Jackson's Organ Group, Jimmy McCracklin's Blues Band and Blues singers Wynonie Harris and Ruth Brown. And, he performed with Ruth Brown at former President Clinton's first inauguration.

Casey is world renowned for his long association with "Fats" Waller's recording group, as well as touring bands. He started playing violin at the age of 8, and played ukulele before settling on guitar. He also worked with Teddy Wilson, James P. Johnson, and Billy Kyle, and led groups of his own. He is the winner of two consecutive Gold Esquire Awards (1944,'45) for best guitarist, and performed with Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Roy Eldridge, Barney Bigard, Coleman Hawkins, Art Tatum, and Sidney Catlett. He has also performed at Carnegie Hall with Armstrong, including several recordings with "Satchmo."

Ray, who is a bassist, vocalist and teacher, has professional experience of more than 50 years which covers the classical, jazz, Latin, R&B, gospel, calypso and popular music fields. She is a native New Yorker and graduate of Juilliard and Manhattan School of Music. Her first big band traveling experience started with the International Sweethearts of Rhythm, and she has also traveled with Erskine Hawkins, Mercer Ellington, Melba Liston, Sandra Reaves-Phillips, Carrie Smith, Ruth Brown and combos led by Seldon Powell, Mary Lou Williams, Marian McPartland, Joe Newman, Budd Johnson, Tiny Grimes, and Doc Cheatham, She became a founding member of an all-female group, Jazzberry Jam!. Since 1971, she has been associated with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Members of the group autographed CDs and mingled with attendees at Sunday's event, much to the delight of fans. "This is like a living legend. I can't believe this is happening," said Wantagh resident and jazz enthusiast Jerry Cardone, describing the experience of meeting Blowers. "This is magic - magic in this room today. I can't believe it."

Johnny Blowers and the Harlem Blues and Jazz Legends plan to perform again locally in the first week of April, at Nassau Community College, according to Blowers. He told fans to check local newspapers for upcoming concert dates and times.