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Nationally-renowned musician, composer and educator Wayne Wallace will be the feature attraction at Florence Crittenton Services' "All That Jazz" Benefit Gala and Silent Auction, scheduled to take place from 6 to 10:30 pm on Wednesday, May 26.

In the wake of triumphant appearances at the Monterey, San Jose and Stanford jazz festival, the recent release of his chart-topping "¡Bien Bien!" CD, and a four-and-a-half star rating in the January 2010 DownBeat, Wallace and his Latin Jazz Quintet will perform at Yoshi's Bar and Restaurant in the historic Fillmore District. Also on tap will be the award-winning Jazzschool High School Advanced (Big) Band. KCSM radio personality Jesse "Chuy" Varela — who on Sunday afternoon hosts a Latin jazz show — will serve as master of ceremonies.

"We as artists have to give back to ensure that the next generation has the opportunities we did. It is nature's cycle. Any individual in life is remembered for what they left behind for others," Wallace says. "More than ever, communities and families need options. FCS has tradition and experience in giving folks a chance to pick themselves up and build a respectable life."

FCS has served local residents for 120 years. Ninety-five percent of its client base is classified as "low" or "very low" income, primarily residing in Bayview-Hunters Point, Visitacion Valley and the Western Addition. The agency provides subsidized childcare, parent support services, and job readiness training. In 2009, the agency served more than 300 working poor families.

Helping others is nothing new to Wallace.

The San Francisco native volunteers at the local library near his home in the Ingleside neighborhood and regularly gives time and performances to raise awareness about the need for musician health care. He also teaches music at the College of Marin, San Jose State University and the Jazzschool. He also coaches at Jazz Camp West every summer.

Three years ago, he started his own enterprise, Patois Records, to ensure that he and other Bay Area artists were free to pursue their personal, communal and artistic dreams irrespective of economic and marketing demands.

"My first two recordings ("Three In One" and "Echoes In Blue"), were on Spirit Nectar Records," Wallace says. "In 2002, the label owner Ray Lucas was forced to discontinue the label for personal reasons and his disenchantment with the  recording industry. As it turned out, it was a good time for me to reflect on my life and career direction.

"Knowing that the big record companies saw no profit jazz and Latin music... I figured that do it yourself was the only viable alternative to get my music out to the general public," he adds.

Wallace works alongside long-time friend and business partner Michael Aczon, receives sales help from Herman Bosset, and gets marketing support from his daughter Sheryl Lynn Thomas. Patois Records also has "a large extended family of dancers, singers and visual artists" such as Kristina, the VW Brothers and Russell Kidd II.

"People always come up to me and tell me how amazing he is as a musician, as a teacher and as a friend," Thomas says. "I tell them he is an amazing father, too!"

For Wallace's part, the proud papa but modest musician says his aim is simple: "to showcase the music I love to play, have the musicians retain legal control of their music and highlight the creative talents of the musicians I work with."

The list of collaborators is a long one.

Nicknamed "The Doctor" by Pete Escovedo, Wallace is the latter's musical director and co-director for John Santos & Machete. He is accomplished in the straight-ahead side of jazz — and has recorded with, toured with and produced recordings for artists from Count Basie to Joe Henderson's Big Band and McCoy Tyner. He has also worked with Ray Charles, Santana, Tito Puente, Sonny Rollins, Sammy Davis Jr., Eartha Kitt, Gladys Knight, Dr. John, and many others.

Ultimately, Wallace seems to have found a way to realize his dreams and help others do so, too.

"Above all else, Wayne lives a life of unwavering integrity in every way," says Aczon, who, fresh out of law school in the early 1980s, became Wallace's first and only agent.

"The path Wayne walks as a spirit, a man, and an artist is magnetic and he doesn't mind sharing it with whomever wants to join him in that path of integrity... no matter how few or many steps they may walk together. Fortunately for me, Wayne and I have been on a journey together that has resulted in many shared miles."

For more information about the "All That Jazz" Benefit, call 415.567.2357 x 105 or visit the FCS website. Tickets can be purchased through the Yoshi's box office. During the month of May, a portion of every Patois Records CD purchased online will be donated to helping impoverished children and families served by FCS.