Friday night at GWU in Georgetown, the Jazz Airmen of Note Heritage Series presented a concert with special guest Al Jarreau.
The Airmen of Note recently celebrated 60 years as the premier jazz ensemble of the United States Air Force. In 1950 200 musicians were auditioned, including players from bands led by such greats as Tommy Dorsey, Claude Thornhill, and Ralph Flanagan. The first public performance was held at George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium on March 12, 1951. A few years later, the "Note" played the part of the Glenn Miller Orchestra in the Universal international picture The Glenn Miller Story, starring Jimmy Stewart. In 1972 the band made an appearance on The Tonight Show hosted by Johnny Carson.
The band continues to perform in numerous settings including television appearances, major jazz festivals, tours, music conferences, and recordings. The Jazz Heritage Series, a concert series featuring the "Note" with guest jazz masters, began in 1990.
Al Jarreau's unique vocal style is one of the world's treasures. His innovative musical expressions have made him one of the most exciting and critically acclaimed performers of our time, with seven GRAMMY Awards and scores of international music awards and popular accolades worldwide. Time Magazine called him "the greatest jazz singer alive." The 70 year old continues to tour extensively worldwide, with his sextet and Symphony shows, and is currently in the studio working on a new project.
