FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, Sept. 27, 2007
Contact: Dave Wellman, Director of Communications, (304) 696-7153
 

‘Airmen of Note’ to perform at Marshall University

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The United States Air Force band unit known as the “Airmen of Note” will perform at Marshall University’s Smith Recital Hall at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12.

The Airmen of Note is one of eight performing units of the United States Air Force Band in Washington, D.C., and is the premier jazz ensemble of the United States Air Force. Originally created in 1950 to carry on the tradition of Glenn Miller’s Army Air Corps dance band, the Airmen of Note is one of today’s few touring big bands, and has attracted 18 of the finest musicians in the country.  As a result, it has earned an international reputation as one of the finest and most versatile big bands of its kind in the world.

Twice yearly, the “Note” tours throughout the United States, spreading its big band sound to communities from coast to coast. The Airmen of Note also has an extensive record of international performing, with appearances in five South American countries, eight European countries and Japan. The group also appears regularly at the world’s most famous jazz festivals, including featured performances at the Detroit/Montreux Jazz Festival, Notre Dame Jazz Festival, Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Wichita Jazz Festival, Elkhart Jazz Festival and the Pensacola Jazz Festival.

The Airmen of Note’s steadfast commitment to musical excellence and its reputation for setting the highest standards has earned the respect of the world’s foremost jazz artists.  This has led to many collaborative efforts, recordings and performances with such luminaries as Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughan and Cleo Laine.

The group’s Jazz Outreach program, a series of educational clinics and performances at high schools and colleges across the nation, reflects its commitment to music education. Another sign of the Airmen of Note’s commitment to music education is the Sammy Nestico Award, initiated in 1994 and named after the former leader of the Note.  The objective of this annual competition is to encourage young jazz composers writing for big bands.  The award winner travels to Washington, D.C., for the performance of his or her composition by the Airmen of Note at a major concert.

Admission to the performance at Marshall is free, but tickets are required. They may be picked up at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center Box Office (304) 696-ARTS. Ticket requests also may be made by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to:

Airmen of Note Tickets
Department of Music
Marshall University
1 John Marshall Dr.
Huntington, WV 25755

Tickets are limited to four per request and ticket holders must be seated 15 minutes prior to the concert. Ten minutes before the concert begins, doors will open for nonticket holders.

For further information, contact Dr. Ed Bingham, director of jazz studies at Marshall University, by calling (304) 696-3147, or by e-mail at bingham@marshall.edu.

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