The legendary, landmark and still vibrant Blue Note Records celebrates its 70th anniversary on Jan. 13, 2009 with the release the eight-song, "Mosaic: A Celebration of Blue Note Records," by the all-star Blue Note 7 band.

On March 28, that group comes to town for a performance at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center of the Arts.

The septet features pianist and musical director Bill Charlap, trumpeter Nicholas Payton, tenor saxophonist Ravi Coltrane -- son of the late John and Alice Coltrane -- alto saxophonist/flutist Steve Wilson, guitarist Peter Bernstein, bassist Peter Washington and drummer Lewis Nash.

"The music that Blue Note recorded is so vast and historically important that there was no way we could be comprehensive in covering the contributions of so many major musicians," says Charlap, who co-produced the CD with Michael Cuscuna and Eli Wolf.

"We chose to record compositions that would honor the label and its key players, whittling it down to eight of our favorites from Blue Note's wide-ranging and extensive catalog." Charlap hails the wisdom of Blue Note founder Alfred Lion, who launched the label in 1939, for "creating a forum for composers to write music. He trusted them to go ahead and do what they do best."

The album includes readings of Blue Note catalog classics like McCoy Tyner's "Search for Peace," Herbie Hancock's "Dolphin Dance," Cedar Walton's "Mosaic," Joe Henderson's "Inner Urge," Bobby Hutcherson's "Little B's Poem," Thelonious Monk's "Criss Cross," Duke Pearson's "Idle Moments" and Horace Silver's "The Outlaw."

Tickets for the 8 p.m. Wilson Center show -- part of a 50-city tour -- are $48 and $39 for orchestra seating and $25 for balcony seats.