FARMINGTON - What pushes two men, both shy and behind-the-scenes types, to go out to solicit publicity?

Free jazz concerts performed by some of the best musicians in the country.

David Scribner, a retired math professor and volunteer in the arts community, and David Burgess, a production worker and guitar player, have taken it upon themselves this year to spread the word.

They have put together news releases in past years for the events. But this time it's different.

They're trying to change the fact that these concerts are usually sparsely attended, with most of the audience coming from the students at the annual Maine Jazz Camp held on the UMF campus.

The musicians teaching at the camp and performing nearly nightly concerts have made names for themselves including playing with some of the greats and in Grammy performances.

"All of the musicians are improv," said Scribner of East Wilton.

Some play compositions and classics, but the songs are done in individual style, and may or may not sound the way someone else played them.

Scribner has been attending the concerts for about 25 years, and Burgess of Wilton about 12 years.

The camp began in 1972 with jazz musicians from around the country teaching students and performing their music.

"It just seemed like it was yesterday," Scribner said. "I go to a lot of them. I'd like to get more people there. It's a hobby, and I love and appreciate that they come here. I appreciate what they're doing for the youngsters. You go by in the day and the kids love it and love the instructors."

Not a musician himself, nor an artist, Scribner's love runs so deep that he doesn't socialize Sunday through Thursday while the concerts are going on.

"It isn't that I go every night, but I definitely look forward to going," he said. "Once in a while I'll betray them for something in Portland. I like that it's improv. I like that it's live. I like the personalities. I like it when it gets wild and everybody is tapping their knees" and everybody in the hall is getting into it.

"Sometimes it's more cerebral with jazz. You hear all the voices and they're really getting into the music," Scribner said. "These performers give everything to these concerts."

Burgess travels to New York and other places to hear jazz musicians.

"I know it's not everyone's taste," Burgess said. "I like it a lot. I think these performers put on such a great performance, it would be great if they could look into the audience and say 'ahh,' there are people out there that are interested."

An active musician himself, Burgess said he sees many of the performers pushing themselves, exploring their talents to create better music, sometimes coming up with something really fresh.

"A lot of these guys perform for the first time together, and everyone is tackling compositions for the first time," he said. "Sometimes great surprises really happen. … It's what creative music is all about."