LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring James Spadafore on his retirement after
many years of dedicated service as a teacher and music director from the
Liverpool School District

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and recognize
those skilled and dedicated individuals, who have inspired countless
students to reach their academic and artistic goals through positive
direction, and whose dedication and achievements have been instrumental
in developing character and academic excellence in the young people of
New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor and
recognize James Spadafore for his excellence in education upon the occa-
sion of his retirement as a teacher and music director from the Liver-
pool School District; and
WHEREAS, James "Jim" Spadafore began his successful teaching career
with the Liverpool School District in 1978; he taught music at the
district's elementary and middle schools, before joining Liverpool High
School as a music teacher and music director in 1992; and
WHEREAS, For the last 20 years, James Spadafore has been instrumental
in improving the music educational experience at Liverpool High School,
by creating an exciting learning environment and a high-level of expec-
tation for students to achieve; and
WHEREAS, Through hard work and dedication, James Spadafore has led
numerous Liverpool High School bands to state and national recognitions,
provided students with national performance venues, and inspired many
individuals to pursue professional careers in music and the performing
arts; and
WHEREAS, In 1997, James Spadafore realized he wanted to provide
students with the unique opportunity to publicly perform with world-re-
nowned artists, so he founded Jumpin' Jazz Jam, an annual concert held
at Liverpool High School, where professional artists play sets with
students from Liverpool High School's stage band and jazz ensemble; some
of those artists include Terence Blanchard, Jane Monheit, Joey DeFran-
cesco, Sherrie Miracle, the Count Basie Orchestra, and the Diva Big
Band; and
WHEREAS, On May 23, 2012, James Spadafore will mark his final Jumpin'
Jazz Jam concert, as he will officially retire from the Liverpool School
District in June 2012; and
WHEREAS, The 2012 Jumpin' Jazz Jam will feature performances by the
Liverpool High School Stage Band, directed by James Dumas, and the
Liverpool High School Jazz Ensemble, directed by James Spadafore, with
special performances by Woody Herman's Thundering Herd and star guitar-
ist John Pizzarelli; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the hundreds of students he has taught during
his distinguished career, James Spadafore has also passed on his love of
music to his children, Crista, Joel, and Samantha; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor James Spadafore upon the occasion of his retirement as a teacher
and music director from the Liverpool School District; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to James Spadafore.