A Dixieland band section of the U.S. Army Field Band's Jazz Ambassadors perform during a show June 19 at the Pavilion. The Jazz Ambassadors performed a diverse repertoire includes big-band swing, bebop, Latin, contemporary jazz standards, Dixieland,...
FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (June 26, 2014) -- An earlier tornado threat did not stop the U.S. Army Field Band's Jazz Ambassadors from giving an impressive performance of jazz standards, original compositions and patriotic songs.
The 75-minute concert, performed June 19 at the Pavilion, was the third in the Field Band's annual 12-week Summer Concert Series.
"It was fantastic," said Janice Custis, a West Laurel resident who plans to attend each of the upcoming concerts this summer.
The series ends Aug. 23 with a joint performance by the Concert Band & Soldiers' Chorus, the Jazz Ambassadors and The Volunteers.
The Jazz Ambassadors is the official touring big band of the Field Band. The ensemble's diverse repertoire includes big-band swing, bebop, Latin, contemporary jazz standards, Dixieland, popular songs and patriotic selections.
Instrumental music was featured during the first 30 minutes of the show. To open the concert, Chief Warrant Officer William S. McCulloch, conductor and officer-in-charge of the ensemble, led an instrumental version of "The Army Goes Rolling Along." The National Anthem was sung by lead vocalist Master Sgt. Marva Lewis.
Other instrumental performances included Sammy Nestico's "Wind Machine"; Duke Ellington's "Cottontail" and "Shepherd"; and "Good-bye Mr. Schultz," an original composition by retired Master Sgt. Vince Norman, a former member of the ensemble.
This portion of the concert showcased solo performances by Master Sgt. Timothy Young on keyboard, Sgt. 1st Class Patrick Shook on tenor saxophone, Staff Sgt. Dustin Mollick on baritone saxophone, Sgt. 1st Class Todd Harrison on drums, and Master Sgt. Michael Johnston on trumpet with a plunger.
Lewis returned with a jubilant performance of Broadway's "Hello Dolly," followed by "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered," recorded by Ella Fitgerald, and "Dearly Beloved," composed by Johnny Mercer.
The ensemble then performed "Muttnick" by Quincy Jones and "The Visitor," an original composition by Staff Sgt. Thomas Davis, a trumpeter with the group.
The Dixieland Band, also known as the Burba Lake Ramblers, gave a brief performance highlighted once again by Harrison on drums.
The concert ended with the traditional Armed Forces Salute and Lewis singing "God Bless the U.S.A." by Lee Greenwood.
Former Reservist Oliver Witting, who has been coming to see the Jazz Ambassadors' summer concerts for the past three years, intends to return for the ensemble's next concert on Aug. 7.
"It's always a great performance," the Severna Park resident said.
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