Even sandwiched among jazz festivals, Saturday’s show at The Linda by Cliff Brucker’s Full Circle boasts the unique attraction of area sax giant Leo Russo.

Leo Russo, tenor saxophone, at top left, then clockwise: Cliff Brucker, drums; Mike Novakowski, guitar; Otto Gardner, bass; Dylan Canterbury, trumpet; Larry Ham, keyboards

Multi-band leader Brucker formed Full Circle to showcase Russo’s tenor sax skills after the two had already played together for decades; Russo becoming both band mate and mentor to the younger Brucker. They’ve recorded two albums, played everywhere and spawned a spin-off, New Circle.

Nearing 90, Russo now limits his performances, so saxophonist-son Lee will play most of Saturday’s show. However, as Brucker notes, “Leo will be in attendance and will join us for a few tunes.”

Music as the family business-heritage includes numerous notables: two generations of Coltranes (John, and Ravi), of Pizzarellis (Bucky, and John), Johnny Cash and daughter Rosanne (playing Universal Preservation Hall on Saturday with husband-accompanist John Leventhal), four Hokes (my brother Jim, his wife Lisa and their genius kids Austin and Sari); Steve Earle and (the late) son Justin Townes Earle, also multiple Scruggs, McCourys, Louvins, Everlys. Davies (Kinks), Gallaghers (Oasis!) and Levins (keyboardist Pete plays often with Brucker); and moe. drummer Vinnie Amico and his jazz trumpeter father Sal. OK, there are many more, but that’s enough for now.

Saturday’s show at the Linda features the original Full Circle line-up: Brucker at the drum-set, trumpeter Dylan Canterbury, bassist Otto Gardner, guitarist Mike Novakowski and keyboardist Larry Ham, Brucker’s classmate at the Crane School of Music – plus two Russos.

“The music is interpretations of some of the classic jazz standards that musicians have been playing for decades plus one original composition written by the trumpet player (Canterbury) titled appropriately enough, ‘Full Circle’,” says Brucker.

“Leo will be in attendance and will join us for a few tunes.”

Leo Russo will play on several songs, reducing the full sextet to more compact quartets or trios.

Showtime is 7 p.m. for Cliff Brucker’s Full Circle Saturday at WAMC’s The Linda (339 Central Ave., Albany). $20 general admission. 518-465-5233. http://www.thelinda.org.

Brucker also leads the Brucker-Weisse-Canterbury Jazz Orchestra, which played the Linda in July, and Cliff & Friends, in Sunday residence at Stony’s Irish Grill. 

Brucker’s New Circle played Jazz on Jay in June; and will play Saturday, Sept. 21 at Schenectady Porchfest; a free, nomadic neighborhood concert series presenting mostly jazz bands on six porches in or adjacent to the GE Plot.

MORE JAZZ – A WEEKEND FULL OF FESTIVALS

Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival hits Saturday at noon at Jennings Landing in the Corning Preserve on the Hudson shore in downtown Albany and ends just about when Brucker and crew start uptown at the Linda. Riverfront features Bright Dog Red, Melanie Charles, Snacktime, Matthew Whitaker, and Nate Smith.

And Jazz at the Lake presents music ashore in Shepard Park Thursday (welcome party for friends and supporters, with music), Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings plus a Sunday jazz cruise aboard the Mohican – presenting too many artists to list here.