Airmen of Note will be performing at American Art's Kogod Courtyard on Saturday, July 3 and Sunday, July 4, from 1–3 p.m.
Laurel Fehrenbach, public programs assistant here at American Art, spoke with Sergeant Kevin Burns from Airmen of Note. The jazz group will be performing Saturday, July 3 and Sunday, July 4, from 1 to 3 p.m. as part of our celebration for the opening of our exhibition, Telling Stories: Norman Rockwell from the Collections of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg.
Eye Level: The Airmen of Note is the premiere big band of the U.S. Air Force, and your repertoire and sound have been influenced by the Glenn Miller Orchestra of the '30s and '40s. Can you give us a little history of how the "Note" came to be?
Kevin Burns: Back in 1950, one man recognized the need for a group like the Airmen of Note and made the idea a reality: Brigadier General Sydney D. Grubbs, the Bolling Air Force Base Commander. The United States Air Force Band was one of the units under his command, and he was justifiably proud of that unit. The Band was made up of a number of highly regarded ensembles, including the Concert Band, the Air Force Symphony, the Strolling Strings, and the Singing Sergeants, as well as a variety of smaller groups that could be put together to fit special occasions. But Gen. Grubbs felt that something was still missing—a dance band to bring first-class entertainment to the officers and men of the Air Force, just as the Glenn Miller Army–Air Force Band had done so effectively during World War II. Although the Airmen of Note was formed to carry on the musical traditions of the Miller AAF Orchestra, the relationship had another aspect as well: it was at Bolling Field that the Miller AAF Orchestra made its final broadcast on November 17, 1945. So the Airmen of Note picked up exactly where the Miller AAF Orchestra had left off, geographically as well as musically.
EL: You have a big anniversary this year! How is the Note celebrating sixty years of music?
KB: We have several events that celebrate this landmark year for the Airmen of Note. We have an exciting and unique summer concert series this year . . . in which we are taking a "historical journey" through the various eras of the group. Our musical director SM Sgt. Joe Jackson has been listening to old recordings and digging through our music library to put together entire concerts that focus specifically on the music played with each of the Note’s band leaders.
This will all culminate with a great weekend of events that include as many alumni of the Note as can make it back to D.C. We are having a private alumni dinner and jam session with former members. We are also dedicating our first Jazz Heritage Series concert in early September to our sixtieth year, and will be featuring several alumni at that concert.
EL: Do you think music still has a role in supporting our troops today?
KB: Certainly—we have many opportunities to support our own troops in the twenty-first century. Music in almost any form is such an uplifting experience. It reaches deep into your spirit. There is also no replacement for the live music experience. We regularly use our gifts and talents to support our "internal" audience, whether at local private events or publicly sponsored concerts and broadcasts, or overseas performances that reach our troops deployed to remote areas that are far from family and home. In every instance, we are met with great enthusiasm and invitations to return.
EL: Where in the world have you traveled most recently to perform?
KB: Our mission is primarily in the States. We have traveled literally from coast to coast. The Note’s most recent overseas tour was back in 2002 when we performed for the troops stationed around the Middle Eastern nations of the Persian Gulf. There are smaller groups from the USAF Band that have deployed and continue to tour in those areas. It’s been a matter of logistics with sending smaller groups than the Note to hot spots like that, but we would love to return.
EL: Besides performing at the American Art Museum, how do the Airmen of Note like to celebrate Fourth of July?
KB: Of course throughout our history we have always enjoyed performing for the public on July Fourth. Sometimes we accept an invitation to go out of town, but there is no greater place to play on that day than in Washington, D.C. We’re going to have a great time at the American Art Museum!
