J.J. Swing, a Buffalo band featuring Jamestown native and Buffalo Music Hall of Fame inductee Jim Runfola, will give a performance at Jamestown Community College's Scharmann Theatre today beginning at 7 p.m. Submitted photo

A Jamestown native and Buffalo Music Hall of Fame inductee will return to his hometown tonight for a one-time performance with his award-winning band.

Jim Runfola and J.J. Swing will headline Jamestown Community College’s annual Jazz Fest with a 7 p.m. performance at the Scharmann Theatre.

“I’m looking forward to playing in my hometown and seeing a lot of people I haven’t seen since I graduated high school in 1984,” said Runfola, who currently serves as music director at Erie Community College’s north campus in Williamsville. “My performance schedule has always kept me busy on weekends, so I haven’t been able to attend any of my class reunions. This will be a great chance to visit with and perform for people I haven’t seen in a long time.”

J.J. Swing began performing a repertoire of jazz, pop, and rhythm and blues in 1998. The eight-piece band features an ensemble cast of accomplished Buffalo area musicians including: Joe Mombrea, C. Jerry Sampson, Jim Linsner, Pat Georger, Jim Runfola, Harry Fackelman, Rick Keller and Jeff Marsha.

Runfola said he was contacted to perform at JCC by Ralph “Razz” Rasmusson, JCC’s concert and jazz band director. Given the fact that Rasmusson was Runfola’s private saxophone instructor during the latter’s junior and senior high school years, he said he was honored by the opportunity.

Now recognized as an all-star saxophonist, Runfola has long exemplified the characteristics of an impactful musician. He began his musical journey at the age of 10, when his father presented him with a saxophone and informed him that he would be playing the instrument in school. Upon his graduation from Jamestown High School, he attended SUNY Fredonia where he earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in music theory and composition.

He then relocated to the Buffalo area, where he made an immediate emergence onto the local music scene with J.J. Swing. In addition to the success he has experienced with J.J. Swing, Runfola has established himself as a reliable studio and backing musician for a number of reputable artists. His resume includes performances alongside the likes of: the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra; the Goo Goo Dolls; 10,000 Maniacs; Johnny Mathis; and Greg Lake.

He has toured with Circus America and has performed on a number of Delta Queen Steamboat Company cruise lines. He has also performed abroad in the Middle East, Europe and Asia for shows contracted by the Department of Defense.

Locally, in the Buffalo area, he has performed in more than 50 musicals at Erie Community College, and is the composer of three — one of which, entitled “Zooma Zooma,” won an award for “Best Musica” in 2004.

Admission to Friday’s 7 p.m. performance in Scharmann Theatre is $4 for the general public, $3 for area students and senior citizens, and $2 for JCC Faculty Student Association members. Tickets can be purchased through JCC’s box office by calling 338-1187, or online at campusstore.sunyjcc.edu.