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Airmen of Note Shares Spotlight in Joint Service Concert

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Burns and Master Sgt. Brian McCurdy
Big band music lovers were treated to an amazing evening of music on August 16th at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre. That night marked the third annual Joint Service Jazz Festival in Washington, DC. This rare event featured three premier military big bands on the same stage in one evening - The Navy Commodores, The Army Blues, and The Airmen of Note. Each band was on their "A game" as they performed to a very enthusiastic audience. These world-class ensembles represented their respective armed services to perfection that evening.

Although there was no "battle of the bands" inferred by the event, members of the Note declared it was "Game On Navy!" just before The Commodores took the stage. The Navy Commodores are based at the Navy Yard in Washington, DC.

Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Burns, a member of the Note's trumpet section, said, "All of the personnel in these bands are dear friends, so I had to throw in some healthy competition just for fun!"

Following the remarkable performance by The Commodores, The Army Blues (stationed nearby at Fort Myer in Virginia) played an awesome set - highlighting the wonderful soloists that fill each section.

As this year's host for the event, the Airmen of Note were the last to perform. They ended with the "Armed Services Medley" and invited veterans and active duty members to stand as their "fight song" was played. The Note also gave each member of the audience a copy of their latest CD to take home following a remarkable evening of big band jazz.