North Central College welcomes The Airmen of Note, the premier jazz ensemble of the United States Air Force, for a free concert at 7:30PM Wed., July 2, in Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave.
Tickets to the free event can be picked up at North Central’s box office at the Fine Arts Center, 10AM to 5PM Monday through Friday.
Free tickets also are available during regular business hours at Ellman’s Music Center, 508 W. 5th Ave., behind Naperville North High School off Mill Street.
This July 2 performance in Naperville precedes the ensemble’s Independence Day celebration with back-to-back performances, July 3 and 4, at Chicago’s Navy Pier.
Brief Bio
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 Airmen 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 Airmen of Note 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 American citizens to heightened patriotism and service, and positively impacts the global community on behalf of the U.S. Air Force and the United States.
For more information about the band, visit usafband.af.mil/ensembles.
Editor’s Note: Pete Ellman, co-owner of Ellman’s Music Center, served in the Illinois Air National Guard from 1980 to 2000 where he was a member of the 566 Air Force Band. “The Airmen of Note is one of the best bands in the world,” Ellman said. “We’ve been giving away lots of free tickets at our store and we have more. You won’t want to miss this concert.”
Thanks for supporting the arts!
These upcoming events are among many ongoing programs at North Central College to enrich and broaden the cultural and academic outlook for the College and community. North Central offers a variety of venues accommodating a rich range of local and world-class events, performances and space needs for the public. For a comprehensive schedule of musical performances, theatrical and dance productions, art exhibits and lectures, visit northcentralcollege.edu/show or call the box office at 630-637-SHOW (7469).