Airmen of Note to perform in Box Elder

  • Published
  • By By 2nd Lt. Lauren Wright
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
11/07/2006 ELLSWORTH AFB, S.D., --  Airmen of Note, the Air Force's premier jazz band, offers the Black Hills community a free concert Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. in the Douglas High School Gymnasium in Box Elder.
Doors open at 6 p.m. and seating is on a first come, first served basis. 

The group was created in 1950 to carry on the style and tradition of the Glenn Miller Army Air Forces Dance Band, which gained popularity during World War II. During the mid-1950s, the band developed a more contemporary style under the direction of legendary jazz arranger, Sammy Nestico. 

The Airmen of Note is one of today's few traveling big bands and can be heard each spring and fall on its national Department of Defense community relations tours. The group is also frequently invited to perform at music conventions and festivals around the world. 

The Airmen of Note tour manager, Tech. Sgt. Joseph Grasso, said performing for troops overseas is one of the neatest things the organization gets to do. 

"We are the international musical ambassadors for the Air Force, stateside and overseas," he said. "Our primary job is to support military events and functions." 

The group also performs at community functions and locations throughout the country. Before playing in Box Elder, the band is scheduled to perform at the Mall of America and the South Dakota State University Performing Arts Center, among other stops. 

After two stops in South Dakota, the band is scheduled to perform at four venues in Wyoming and Montana. 

"We are excited to reach an audience we don't frequently visit," said Sergeant Grasso. "It's a pleasure to let people see that there are many great careers in the Air Force, that the Air Force is a complete and diverse organization." 

More information about the band can be found at: http://www.usafband.com/right_intro_airmen.cfm