Airmen of Note to perform at North Central

A U.S. Air Force jazz ensemble, The Airmen of Note, will perform a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 2, in North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville.

Tickets to the free event can be picked up at North Central's box office or at Ellman's Music Center, 508 W. 5th Ave., Naperville.

The performance precedes the ensemble's Independence Day celebration with back-to-back shows July 3 and 4 at Chicago's Navy Pier.

Stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., The Airmen of Note is one of six musical ensembles that comprise The U.S. Air Force Band and currently consists of 18 active duty musicians and one vocalist.

Through the years, The Airmen of Note has presented its own brand of big band jazz and contemporary forms of jazz to audiences across the United States and deployments around the world.

The group's commitment to musical excellence has earned the respect of the foremost jazz artists and led to many collaborative performances and recordings with such luminaries as Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughan and Doc Severinsen.

In 1990, the group established the Jazz Heritage Series, featuring the "Note" in concert with legendary icons of jazz. Each year, the series is broadcast to millions over National Public Radio, independent jazz radio stations, satellite radio services and the Internet.

In addition, the "Note" produces and delivers recorded music to millions of fans worldwide through hundreds of media outlets.

The Airmen of Note honors those who have served, inspires Americans to heightened patriotism and service, and positively impacts the global community on behalf of the U.S. Air Force and the United States.

For details about the band, visit usafband.af.mil/ensembles.