Jazz Ambassadors In Concert October 13

SALISBURY, MD--American flags are flying.  Now American music will soar when the Jazz Ambassadors of the U.S. Army Field Band from Washington, D.C., brings its exciting blend of patriotic and popular music to Salisbury University.  These talented musicians perform Saturday, October 13, at 6 p.m. on the front lawn of Holloway Hall.  Admission is free.  Just bring a blanket or lawn chair for an old-fashioned evening of American music under the stars.

The repertoire, which the Jazz Ambassadors have carried to all parts of the globe, ranges from melodic big band tunes from the Glenn Miller and Duke Ellington era to modern jazz. Vocals, standards and ballads round out the program.

To ensure that the Army’s message of patriotism and goodwill is presented by the finest musicians, members of Jazz Ambassadors are selected through highly competitive personal auditions.  These performers come from the country’s leading universities and professional musical organizations.  Jazz Ambassadors’ alumni have performed with the big bands of Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman, Mel Lewis, Doc Severinsen and many others.

Each of the Jazz Ambassadors is a gifted soloist with his own personal style and sound.  When they combine their individual skills, they create a contemporary big band sound that is hard to surpass.  Many of the players are also well-known published composers and arrangers, whose works are showcased on each concert.

A few of the Jazz Ambassadors’ prestigious performances have included a 30-day, six-city tour of India and 32-day European tour during which the band performed in four internationally renowned jazz festivals:  the Nice and Vienne Jazz Festivals in France; the North Sea Jazz Festival in The Hague, Holland; and the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.  At the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Jazz Ambassadors had the distinction of being the first military jazz band to perform on the main stage.  Other appearances include:  conventions of the International Association of Jazz Educators; the Toronto Jazz Festival; the Wichita Jazz Festival; the Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island; the World’s Fair in Vancouver, British Columbia; the International Freedom Festival in Detroit and Windsor, Ontario; and the grand opening of the Japan branch of the Glenn Miller Birthplace Society in Tokyo.

In the event of rain, the SU concert will move indoors to Holloway Hall Auditorium.  Seating will be on a first-come first-serve basis.  The evening is sponsored by WSCL public radio and the SU Office of Cultural Affairs and Museum Programs.  Tickets are not necessary.  For more information call 410-543-6271 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.