MONTREAL — For more than a quarter-century, music lovers have thronged downtown every summer for the Montreal International Jazz Festival.

The Segal Centre for Performing Arts at the Saidye is hoping some of those fans, especially those in the west end, as well as those new to jazz, will take in its Power Jazz Series, showcasing local musicians, both established and emerging.

The six-part Sunday night series is held in Le Studio, the Segal’s multi-purpose second performing space. It’s where the art gallery used to be, but is quite unrecognizable after a major renovation.

The spacious high-ceilinged room was turned into an intimate venue for the inaugural jazz concert featuring the Chet Doxas Quartet. About 150 seats were arranged on three sides around the musicians for the 90-minute show. The seats are bleacher-style, but cushioned, and a few extra regular chairs had to be brought in to accommodate the overflow. On the fourth side, behind the musicians, hung floor-to-ceiling black velvet drapes that contributed to the mood.

The quartet, playing on a colourful carpet, were expertly spotlit.

Chet Doxas, who teaches at the Segal’s Academy, which opened last year, is a talented saxophonist, composer and arranger, who has appeared at Carnegie Hall. He played on the Oscar- and Grammy Award-nominated soundtrack of the animated movie Les Triplettes de Belleville.

He was joined by his brother, Jim, on drums and percussion, Morgan Moore on bass and John Roney on piano.

The group, which describes its style as “straight ahead jazz,” performed a number of Chet Doxas’ own compositions, as well as one by Roney. Also mixed in were a couple of classics, such as You Know I Care by Duke Pearson. Doxas displayed the breadth of his talent on the saxophone and generously gave solo time to each of his backup musicians. The group didn’t hold back, and gave the audience a passionate and energetic performance.

“The series is intended to expose Montrealers to the great jazz talent that exists in this city,” said George Doxas (Chet and Jim’s father), director of music education at the academy, “and also to inspire the music students in our academy to advance as professional performers.”

He has taken on the job in his semi-retirement after teaching for some 40 years, including heading Lindsay Place High School’s renowned music department. He continues to run his own recording studio and to compose.

A memorable moment occurred when the ebullient elder Doxas called up “Uncle Abie” Gonshor, the Segal’s director of development, to the microphone, wrapped his arm around the shorter man’s shoulder, kissed him on his bald pate, and said he would make him an “honorary Greek.”

Doxas also thanked the centre’s “visionary” chair and principal benefactor Alvin Segal for making it possible to work in “such a mystical place.”

Among the special guests that night were two legendary Montreal jazz artists, Ranee Lee and Richard Ring, as well as veteran band leader Nat Raider.

The series derives its name from its sponsor, the Power Corporation of Canada, which was represented by Marie-Hélène Fox.

The next concert, on Oct. 19, is given by the Dave Watts Quintet. Bassist Watts, a Vanier College teacher, is joined by a trumpeter, guitarist, pianist and drummer.

The remaining concerts are: Nov. 23, the Rémi-Jean Leblanc Ensemble, featuring Yannick Rieu in “The Fine Art of Fusion”; Feb. 8, the John Gilbert Ensemble, featuring pianist John Gilbert and vocal stylings from the Great American Songbook; April 26, the Altsys Big Band, under the direction of trumpeter Bill Mahar; and, May 10, when Roney is back with the Silverbirch Jazz String Quartet, playing his original compositions.

“The series offers a varied program,” said the Segal’s artistic and executive director, Bryna Wasserman. “It is sure to please jazz lovers as well as those newly initiated. This is yet another step towards placing the Segal Centre at the hub of Montreal’s performing arts scene.”

The Segal also launched the second season of its four-part educational concert season for high school students, in conjunction with McGill University’s Schulich School of Music. The aim is to expose young people to a variety of musical genres. The daytime series is also held in Le Studio. The next concert, on Nov. 4, is given by the Schulich Jazz Quartet.

Reservations for the Power Jazz Series concerts can be made by calling 739-7944 or visiting www.admission.com. For more information about the Segal’s educational concert season, call George Doxas at 739-2301, ext. 8333.