U.S. Navy Band jazz ensemble to perform in Highland Park

America's Navy is coming home to Highland Park, one of 18 cities in seven states to host a performance by the United States Navy Band during its 2015 fall tour, one of the Navy's signature outreach programs.

The United States Navy Band Commodores' performance is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at the Highland Park High School Auditorium. Highland Park High School is at 433 Vine Ave, Highland Park.

Jazz is America's music and the Commodores, the Navy's premier jazz ensemble, have been performing the very best of big band jazz for the Navy and the nation for more than 40 years. They have appeared on TV shows, played nearly all major jazz festivals and toured across the United States and abroad. This vibrant, dynamic group is constantly striving for musical excellence and the pursuit of new and exciting ways to communicate with their audiences.

One of the U.S. Navy Band's primary responsibilities involves touring the country. All of the band's primary performing units embark each year on concert tours throughout specified regions of the country, allowing the band to reach out to audiences in areas of the country that do not have opportunities to see the Navy's premier musical ensembles on a regular basis. The concerts are family-friendly events, meant to be entertaining to veterans, families, individuals and those interested in joining the Navy.

"For many years, Navy bands have been where it matters, when it matters, just like the rest of our Navy," said Cmdr. Kenneth Collins, the Navy Band's commanding officer. "Today, we have Sailors performing around the world, improving relations with our allies abroad as well as telling the Navy story here at home."

All Navy Band performances are free and open to the public. For more information about this concert, visit www.navyband.navy.mil/national_tour.shtml.