An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
HomeMultimediaNewsArticle Display






2012 Jazz Heritage Series - Bring on the Jazz!

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Jenn Pagnard
  • The U.S. Air Force Band
WASHINGTON --  This Fall, there will be three exciting opportunities to see the Airmen of Note and featured guest artists perform as a part of the 2012 Jazz Heritage Series. All of the concerts are free and non-ticketed. Each concert begins at 8 p.m. and take place at The George Washington University' s Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st Street N.W., Washington, D.C.

Jazz vocalist Roberta Gambarini
Jazz vocalist
Roberta Gambarini
The series kicks off on Friday, Oct. 12, featuring vocal sensation Roberta Gambarini. A dynamic performer with virtuosic vocal chops, stunning musicality and unwavering intonation, she draws rave reviews and enthusiastic fan support wherever she performs. Born in the northwestern Italian city of Torino, she started singing in local jazz clubs as a teen-ager before moving to Milan, where she worked in radio and television and began recording in 1986. Two of her albums have been nominated twice for a GRAMMY® in the Best Jazz Vocal Album category. Gambarini's "formidable talent" (DownBeat Magazine) has also garnered her wins as the 2010 and 2007 Female Jazz Vocalist of the Year from the Jazz Journalists Association; the 2007 Talent Deserving Wider Recognition and the 2008 Rising Star Female Vocalist of the Year (both from DownBeat Magazine's Annual Critics Poll.)

Jazz trombonist Andy Martin
Jazz trombonist
Andy Martin
The next concert in the series is on Friday, Oct. 26, featuring world-class trombonist Andy Martin. His sparkling bebop lines and consummate musicianship make him equally at home on the stage or in the studio, and he maintains a busy schedule in L.A. as a recording artist, sideman and section player, while traveling frequently for guest appearances. Martin has long been one of L.A.'s first call trombonists for commercial recordings, television and motion pictures and live theater. He has contributed on albums for many popular artists, including the Pussycat Dolls, Coldplay and Michael Buble. His television credits include every major awards show, as well as lead trombonist on "Dancing With The Stars" in every season dating back to its inception in 2005 and "American Idol" in seasons 1-3. Martin has appeared regularly on the soundtracks of hit television shows like "Family Guy," "American Dad," "King of the Hill" and many others. His motion picture credits include the soundtracks of over 150 major films, including a project with GRAMMY® winning rap artist Kanye West for the soundtrack of "Mission Impossible III." He can also be heard on the soundtracks of such movies as "Tin Tin," "Glory Road," "Rush Hour" and "Planet of the Apes," and animated hits like "Monsters, Inc." and "Cars," as well as "Spiderman," "Enemy of the State," "Armageddon" and "Patch Adams."

Jazz vibraphonist & composer Joe Locke
Jazz vibraphonist &
composer Joe Locke
The final concert is on Friday, Nov. 9, featuring acclaimed vibraphonist Joe Locke. Widely considered to be one of the major voices of his instrument, he has performed and recorded with a diverse range of notable musicians, including Grover Washington Jr, Kenny Barron, Eddie Henderson, Dianne Reeves, Ron Carter, The Beastie Boys, the Münster Symphony Orchestra and the Lincoln, Nebraska Symphony. Long known to be a soloist capable of stunning physical power and broad emotional range, it was not until the last decade that he emerged as the composer, band leader and conceptualist that he is considered today. Locke has won numerous awards and polls, including the 2006, 2008 and 2009 "Mallet Player of the Year" award from the Jazz Journalists Association.

The Airmen of Note has performed its popular Jazz Heritage Series since 1990. Since its inception, music critics and concertgoers alike have praised the series. Throughout its long history, the Airmen of Note has regularly performed and recorded with the leading artists in the jazz world. The list of guest artists featured with the Note truly reads like a "who's who" of the jazz music industry.

The Airmen of Note's Jazz Heritage Series provides a wonderful opportunity for the public to experience the Air Force's high level of professionalism through concerts featuring masters of the only American-born art form--jazz music. We hope to see you there!