U.S. Military Jazz Musicians to Play at EFSC

The Jazz Ambassadors of the United States Army Field Band will appear in concert on Thursday, Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Simpkins Auditorium on the Eastern Florida State College Cocoa Campus.

Widely recognized as one of the finest big band/jazz ensembles in the world, the Jazz Ambassadors' diverse repertoire includes music from the 1940's Big Band swing era as well as Latin, contemporary jazz, popular standards, Dixieland and patriotic selections.

The event is sponsored by Dr. Robert E. Lamb, Chair of the Performing and Visual Arts Department of Eastern Florida State College; Melbourne resident Colonel (U.S. Army Retired) Hal Gibson, Conductor Emeritus of the U.S. Army Field Band and founder of the Jazz Ambassadors; and the Melbourne Municipal Band (MMB).  

The concert is free but tickets are required and are available from the Melbourne Municipal Band. To obtain a ticket, mail a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your ticket(s) request to:  Melbourne Municipal Band, P.O. Box 3105, Melbourne, FL 32902. 

For those without tickets, the doors will be opened to the general public at 7:20 p.m. on Sept. 11.

The official touring Big Band of the U.S. Army, the Jazz Ambassadors has toured all over the world and in all 50 states from its base in Washington, D.C.  

“Its members are among the finest jazz artists to be found anywhere,” said Col. Gibson. “In addition, its rigorous touring schedule and reputation for excellence has earned it the title, ‘America's Big Band.’"

Originally called the Studio Band, it was formed in 1969 by Col. Gibson, then Army Field Band commander, who wanted to expand the organization's touring capability and respond to an increasing interest in jazz music.

Col. Gibson appointed Charles Almeida, a well-known saxophone artist who today also resides in Melbourne, to be the first officer in charge of the new group.

In 1979 the name was changed to the Jazz Ambassadors.

For more information, visit www.melbournemunicipalband.org or call 321-724-0555.