Fort Rucker's The Landing hosts world-renowned jazz musician

By Janice Erdlitz, DFMWR Marketing DirectorSeptember 3, 2010

Fort Rucker's The Landing hosts world-renowned jazz musician
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Jazz enthusiasts can enjoy world-renowned jazz musician Michael Lington during a free concert on the patio at The Landing Sept. 7 at noon.

Lington, who is currently on tour with Michael Bolton, is taking a short detour off his tour schedule to stop by Fort Rucker to entertain the troops with his contemporary jazz melodies.

Lington, who has performed for the United Services Organizations in Korea and Guantanamo Bay, decided to visit Fort Rucker at the behest of a friend.

"Since I am performing in Montgomery, my Danish friend Maj. (Jan) Nielsen, suggested I stopped by to see (Fort Rucker) and do a small concert," said Lington. "He and I both have a great deal of appreciation for flying and music, and he knows I enjoy performing for the military so it made perfect sense."

Nielsen, Senior National Representative from Denmark, explained how he and Lington became friends, which led to the visit.

"Early in 2007, I was watching the smooth jazz channel on the cable TV. It was playing one of Michael Lington's hits while telling about him," he said. "He was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, where I was born. When he didn't play jazz he liked the view from a helicopter. I play jazz and fly helicopters. Having so much in common, I Googled his fan page and sent him an e-mail. He quickly responded and gave me a call. So we talked about helicopters and jazz. We've stayed in touch by phone and e-mail. Finally, in July, we met and it was like we were brothers. He told me he was touring with Michael Bolton and would come to Alabama."

Michael Lington will be performing with the band, "Major Changes" which is a jazz and R&B band consisting of drums, bass, guitar, keyboard and saxophone. Nielsen will be playing the keyboard.

Two members of the 98th Silver Wings Army Band are in the band - Chris Nguyen on drums and Tim Stuart saxophone. Bass is played by Alvin Dawkins, a Dothan native who spent 25 years in the Austin music scene. Guitar is played by Aaron Bostic a young Dothan native well known in the local music scene.

Lington commented on what the audience should expect out of the concert.

"We are just going to have some fun; it's going to be a nice afternoon," Linton said.

The concert is free and open to the public. The Landing Zone will be serving lunch and patrons will be able to have lunch on the patio while enjoying the live concert.

For more information on the jazz concert with Michael Lington, call The Landing at 598-2426 or Directorate of Family and Morale Welfare and Recreation marketing department at 255-2292.