U.S. Air Force Academy jazz band to perform at USU on April 29

The U.S. Air Force Academy’s jazz band, the <a href=”http://www.usafacademyband.af.mil/ensembles/BandEnsembleBio.asp?EnsembleID=18″>Falconaires</a>, will perform in the Caine Performance Hall on the campus of Utah State University on Saturday, April 29, at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public, with seating in the 400-seat venue available on a first come, first served basis. Doors will open at 7 p.m.

SSgt Benjamin Sampson, the Falconaires’ tour manager, said the 18 member troupe plays music reminiscent of the Glenn Miller Orchestra, featuring big band favorites from the Swing Era that were especially popular during World War II. The band also performs contemporary jazz, including a popular arrangement of Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk.” Touring throughout the year, the professional airmen-musicians who serve with the Falconaires share their talents as a public service.

“We go around playing free concerts to inspire patriotism, thank veterans and also for educational outreach,” said Sampson, “We also want to thank the public for their support of the military.”

MSgt Mike Van Arsdale plays saxophone in the band and serves as its group leader and musical director. He said the Falconaires tour a 7-state region that includes Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Kansas. A component of the 63-piece Air Force Academy Band, which tours nationwide, the Falconaires hold clinics and master classes throughout the region, supporting recruiting efforts and performing concerts to represent the Air Force Academy.  The group’s April 2017 tour takes place April 23-29, with Logan as the band’s last stop.

“It’s really our privilege to be able to go into communities around the country and perform for the citizens, to thank them for their continued support of our service men and women and to honor our veterans,” Van Arsdale said.

He said next Saturday’s concert will last approximately 80 minutes and will be a lot of fun.

“It’s a pretty fast-paced show and we’ll have some wonderful vocalists with us,” he said. “We have some fantastic soloists and a really good band, so it’ll be a great evening.  Some really good music performed by some very talented musicians and, of course, finishing up with a patriotic salute to our folks in uniform.”

The Caine Performance Hall is located at 675 N. 1090 E., adjacent to the Cache Fine Arts Center. Parking is available next to the hall. For questions, contact the Caine College of the Arts Box Office at 435-797-8022.

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NOTE: Although some promotional efforts indicate otherwise, printed tickets to this concert are not required. Also, 435-797-8022 has been verified as the correct box office number to contact for more information.

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