U.S. Air Force 'Airmen of Note' to perform at FSU's Jazz Festival

Stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., the Airmen of Note is one of six musical ensembles that form the U.S. Air Force Band. Created in 1950 to continue the tradition of Major Glenn Miller’s Army Air Forces dance band, the current band consists of 18 active-duty musicians, including one vocalist.

Through the years, the Airmen of Note has presented its own brand of big band jazz as well as more contemporary forms of jazz to audiences via annual tours across the United States, deployments around the world, and local performances throughout metropolitan Washington D.C. For smaller, more intimate venues, the Airmen of Note Combo and various individual musicians perform apart from the full band to support military and civilian ceremonial and diplomatic events.

Their commitment to musical excellence has earned the foremost jazz artists’ respect worldwide, leading to many collaborative performances and recordings with such luminaries as Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughan, and Doc Severinsen. In 1990, the Airmen of Note established the Jazz Heritage Series, featuring the “Note” in concert with legendary icons of jazz.

The series broadcasts to millions over National Public Radio, independent jazz radio stations, satellite radio services, and the internet. Additionally, the “Note” produces and delivers recorded music to millions of fans worldwide through hundreds of media outlets. One of the group’s holiday recordings, “Cool Yule,” reached #2 on the JazzWeek jazz chart.

As part of the U.S. Air Force Band, the Airmen of Note’s mission is to HONOR those who have served, INSPIRE American citizens to heightened patriotism and service, and CONNECT with the global community on behalf of the U.S. Air Force and the United States. The excellence demonstrated by the Airmen of Note reflects the excellence displayed by all Airmen stationed worldwide, whose selfless service and sacrifices ensure the freedoms enjoyed by citizens of the United States of America.

For more information on the U.S. Air Force ‘Airmen of Note’, visit https://www.music.af.mil/USAFBand/About-Us/Ensembles/Airmen-of-Note/.

The Jazz Festival also provides an opportunity for high school students in the Mid-Atlantic region to spend the afternoon in clinics focused on jazz music. From 9 a.m. to noon there will be high school jazz ensemble clinics, and from 1 to 2 p.m. there will be sectional clinics with members from the U.S. Air Force Airmen of Note. The classes are open to the public and will take place in the Pealer Performing Arts Center.

For more information, contact Dr. Brent Weber at 301-687-4116 or jazz@frostburg.edu.

Situated in the mountains of Allegany County, Frostburg State University is one of the 12 institutions of the University System of Maryland. FSU is a comprehensive, residential regional university and serves as an educational and cultural center for Western Maryland. For more information, visit www.frostburg.edu or facebook.com/frostburgstateuniversity. Follow FSU on X @frostburgstate.

FSU states that it is “...committed to making all of its programs, services and activities accessible to persons with disabilities.” To request accommodations through the ADA Compliance Office, call 301-687-3035 or use a Voice Relay Operator at 1-800-735-2258.