Postcards from the Airmen of Note Published July 6, 2015 By Master Sgt. Andy Axelrad Washington, D.C. -- The Airmen of Note recently returned from the bucolic rolling hills of Danville, Kentucky, where we chalked up several notable performances at the Great American Brass Band Festival. The Festival has been a fixture at Center College in the Danville community for over a quarter century. This year's festival focused on jazz, and fittingly the Note was the featured band. Longtime friend to the Airmen of Note and trumpet great Vince DiMartino collaborated during several performances. Other standout featured guests included trumpeters Rex Richardson and Al Hood, as well as Wycliffe Gordon on trombone. Following the return of our deployed members, the band is really firing on all cylinders. The Note is excited as we look forward to a busy summer season highlighted by a July tour including appearances in New York and Hartford, Connecticut. The performance in New York is part of the 50th anniversary celebration of Jazzmobile. Jazzmobile was founded by jazz piano master Dr. Billy Taylor and was created, in their words, "to reach out to communities where jazz was born, remind these diverse communities of their noble history and help pass the culture of jazz on to new generations--while enhancing the quality of life for people of all ages and backgrounds." We are honored to be included in the stellar lineup of headliners at this renowned festival. Our concert is slated for 5 p.m. on July 18. On July 19 we will make our way to Bushnell Park in the heart of Hartford for a rip-roaring 90 minute set which is sure to please. It will be good to be back at the festival after a multi-year absence. Downbeat is at 7:30 p.m., sharp!