Military jazz concert hosted by Ogden, Mountaineer

CHESTER - Veterans will be honored by the Jazz Ambassadors of the United States Army Field Band on June 28 with a free concert performance.

"The Freedom Concert: A Salute to Veterans" is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Harv at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort. The approximately one-hour, 15-minute show will recognize the brave men and women who have served America.

The performance is sponsored by the The Review, the Morning Journal, the (Steubenville) Herald-Star, The Weirton Daily Times, and Mountaineer.

It will be the only indoor concert of the summer for the Jazz Ambassadors. An area color guard will help open the show, and three students from area high schools will have the opportunity to join the band in a musical selection.

Tickets will be available beginning today by using the coupon that is included in today's newspaper.

The show is expected to sell out quickly, and purchasers are asked to limit their requests to four tickets. Convenient free parking will be available at the venue, as well as wheelchair accessibility.

"The band represents soldiers at home and abroad, so it's a great opportunity for them to come to a small town in West Virginia and bring veterans together that have served throughout the years and their family members. Musically, they are terrific and the best at what they do. They tour 100 days annually and they carry the Army story across the nation," said Sgt. 1st Class Adam Getz, tour coordinator for the band.

All seating is general admission and will be first-come, first-served on the floor as well as the bleachers.

In addition, there will be a free commemorative program handed out to attendees at the event.

"Mountaineer Casino is pleased to join with Ogden Newspapers to present this very special night of entertainment. We are looking forward to the big band sound on the stage at the Harv," said Chris Kern, general manager of Mountaineer.

"It will truly be a community event and a celebration of America that will be shared with our neighbors and guests through Odgen newspapers' distribution of free tickets to those wanting to attend."

According to Tammie McIntosh, publisher of The Review, a big draw of the event is the band's "Armed Forces Salute," which specifically honors the veterans.

"The performers are so very talented and their music selection is wonderful. It expresses so well my love and pride for my country that it brings tears to my eyes," said McIntosh. "I'm excited to once again be able to host the band. The last time they played in our area, it was a sellout."

And that's what the show is really about -honoring and recognizing those who fought bravely for freedom and liberty. Larry Dorschner, publisher of the Morning Journal, said their sacrifice is something that is often forgotten or taken for granted.

"I think more than anything we want them to be honored and remembered for what they've given to this country. I think it's great anytime we can bring this quality of entertainment to the area, particularly to celebrate veterans at this time of year," said Dorschner.

Alex Marshall, publisher of the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times, said the patriotic sounds of the band always make for an incredible show.

"We're happy to be teaming with the folks at Mountaineer, the Morning Journal and The Review to bring their big band sound to a large portion of Eastern Ohio and the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia," said Marshall.

Francesca Torini, a junior at Steubenville High School, is one of the area students who has been chosen to perform a selection with the band, and she said she is excited for the opportunity.

"I've been playing for about seven years. A friend of mine played with the band last year, so I'm very excited. It's a cool opportunity," said Torini.

She is planning to minor in music when she attends college.

"My parents are very proud and excited that I'm getting to do this. Music just makes me happy and I love doing it," Torini said.

For additional information, call Cindy Kotsch, special events and marketing coordinator for the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times, at 740-283-4711, extension 215. Information on the United States Army Field Band can be found at www.armyfieldband.com.

"They are one of the country's top jazz ensembles and some of the most talented musicians around. They bring the story and the face of the Army to the grassroots of America," said Sgt. 1st Class Heather Van Beek, tour coordinator for the Field Band.

The US Army Field Band

For more than 60 years, the United States Army Field Band has been touring the world and entertaining audiences in First- and Third-World countries.

Forming in 1946, the field band has appeared in all 50 states and in more than 30 countries across four continents. The field band is comprised of four sections: the Concert Band, the Soldiers' Chorus, the Jazz Ambassadors and the Volunteers.

Each component tours more than 100 days annually, a schedule that includes formal public concerts, school assemblies, educational outreach programs, festivals and radio and television appearances.

The U.S. Army Field Band has been acclaimed by music critics nationwide as one of the most versatile and inspiring musical organizations in the world. Members are selected through highly competitive auditions and represent some of the highest musical talent in the country.

Their talent, combined with more than six decades of experience, has garnered them the title of "The Musical Ambassadors of the Army."

After World War II in 1946, the United States Armed Forces were in the midst of the largest military drawdown in modern history. Millions of servicemen and women returned stateside to resume their civilian lives and the military's numbers decreased dramatically. Gen. Jacob L. Devers foresaw the need to maintain a relationship between the Army and the American people and an important part of this effort was the First Combat Infantry Band.

The new band existed under the umbrella of U.S. Army Ground Forces, and was renamed the Army Ground Forces Band. In the spring of 1950, as the Army Ground Forces were re-titled "U.S. Army Field Forces," the band assumed a new name-the United States Army Field Band-that it keeps to this day.

The Jazz Ambassadors is comprised of 19 members and was formed in 1969.

Their performances include custom compositions and arrangements that showcase the musical talent of its members. Musical styles include: big band swing, bebop, Latin, contemporary jazz, Dixieland and a number of patriotic selections and more.

In addition to touring the states, the band has appeared in Canada, Mexico, Japan, India and throughout Europe. It has played at international jazz festivals in Montreux, Switzerland; Newport, R.I.; Brussels, Belgium; and the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands. In addition, in 1995 it performed in England, Wales, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Than band has played with major orchestras such as the Detroit and Baltimore symphonies.

Every four years, the U.S. Army Field Band is charged with the special responsibility of leading the first element of the Presidential Inaugural Parade.

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