A reunion of some of the planet's finest jazz musicians will pass through State College at 8 Saturday night as The Moutin Reunion Quartet grooves at Esber Recital Hall.

Composed of founders and twin brothers Louis and Francois Moutin on drums and upright bass, respectively, Baptiste Trotignon on piano and Rick Margitza on the saxophone, Reunion has been flooring critics and fans on the European and North American jazz scenes for more than five years.

The brain child of the Moutin twins, the group was conceived to allow the brothers a forum to record their original music and play together, something they've been doing for most of their 40-plus years.

"Francois and Louis were nudged toward music very early," manager Dan Doyle said. "They grew up with one of the best jazz collections in the world in house, so they were influenced at an early age."

While the brothers have separated to work on other successful projects over the years, a desire to come together to form Reunion and record original songs with each other was an extension of a lifelong passion for jazz.

Reunion is currently promoting its highly acclaimed second release, Red Moon, and is looking to record a third in the near future.

"We've been playing since we were five, it was jazz right away," Francois said. "My brother and I always had someone to play with. We loved the music right away, we're still loving it now and I think we'll be loving it will until the day we die."

Both Margitza and Trotignon have enjoyed successful solo careers.

Margitza was the final saxophonist for the late Miles Davis and has recorded many albums, both solo and with others.

Trotignon has also recorded several albums and has won a variety of prestigious piano awards all over the world.

Because of each member's busy schedule, the band rarely has time to meet, write music or even rehearse.

Members rely on the immense trust of the others talents to play each song.

Reunion looks forward to its time in State College as a chance to move toward future projects as it continues its fall tour in the United States.

The group will be featured at the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C., in 2005 and will continue to tour the United States and Europe.

"Louis lives in Paris and I'm living in New York," Francois Moutin said. "We're always traveling to see each other and talking on the phone while we're writing. We will stay in State College an extra day to write some and to rehearse."

Doyle also appreciates the relatively quiet and welcoming atmosphere State College affords the quartet before it hits the road once again, he said.

"I'm very excited; we've had great support from [Penn State]," Doyle said. "We're staying in Penn State to rehearse and record in peace and quiet and an ultra friendly atmosphere."

Doyle added that some of the tracks on the new album might have their origin in State College.

The prospect of world-class jazz musicians rehearsing in town has Penn State faculty and local jazz lovers excited as well.

"I was very impressed with the CD," jazz studies director Dan Yoder said. "I knew I wanted to get them to play our recital hall. What excited me the most is that my students will get to see a top-shelf jazz group practice and play. We're fortunate to have a group like that come here."

Tickets for the concert are $10.