One of the Buffalo area’s most-recognized jazz musicians, Carol McLaughlin has been a woodwinds and brass teacher at CMS since 1981. He offers individual lessons in flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, horn and recorder. Carol earned his associate’s degree in science at Erie Community College and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He also studied jazz composition at the Berklee School of Music in Boston. Prior to teaching, Carol was the bandleader for the Eastern Steam Ship Line and Carnival Cruise Lines. He has performed alongside such luminaries as Ruth Brown, Brook Benton, Johnny Mathis and Sammy Davis, Jr. He founded the Carol McLaughlin Quartet and the Carol McLaughlin Big Band, a 17-piece jazz band, which performs for area events and corporate functions. His quartet and big band have played in such venues as the Colored Musicians Club, the Seneca Niagara Casino and the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. He also performs with Joe Baudo’s Big Band. Mr. McLaughlin has released recordings with Sam Falzone and the Buffalo Jazz Workshop. His big band released a CD entitled “Two Hearts & A Diamond” in 2000.