The Airmen of Note, The United States Air Force’s premier Jazz ensemble,
celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Created in 1950 to continue
the tradition of Glenn Miller’s Army Air Corps dance band, the Airmen of
Note took on a more contemporary approach under the direction of Sammy
Nestico in the mid-fifties. Under the guidance of Senior Master Sergeant Mike
Crotty, chief arranger since the early ‘70s, The Note has stayed the
course set by Miller and Nestico, and has commissioned works by such renowned
composer/arrangers as Bob Florence and Bob Mintzer. Nestico and another
well-known alumnus, Tommy Newsom have also contributed works.
A leading force in music education, the Airmen of Note performs and
adjudicates at music conventions and Jazz festivals throughout the
country.
Recent festival performances include Detroit/Montreux Jazz Festival,
Notre Dame Jazz Festival, Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Wichita Jazz Festival,
and the Pensacola Jazz Festival.
Since many Airmen of Note members are accomplished technicians with
extensive backgrounds in music education, the ensemble provides clinics
at high schools and colleges all over the country, and are often invited to
perform at national music conventions for leading music organizations,
including the International Association of Jazz Educators; Music
Educators National Conference; and the Mid-West International Band and Orchestra
Clinic.
As one of the few touring big bands in the U.S., The Airmen of Note has
attracted 18 excellent musicians, performing community relations
concerts all over the country in the Spring and Fall.
At home in the Washington, DC. Area, The Note performs regularly during
its Summer in the Park and Jazz Heritage concert series.
