For Immediate Release: May 3, 2005

Percussive Arts Museum Hosts Free Jazz Concert in the Park
Performance will feature the big band sounds of The Artillery Jazz Band with a guest appearance by Yamaha Performing Artist Wayne Bergeron

The swinging big band sounds of The Artillery Jazz Band of Fort Sill, Okla., with a special appearance by Yamaha Performing Artist Wayne Bergeron, will be featured in a free public concert at 7 p.m., Sunday, May 22, on the Percussive Arts Museum's outdoor patio stage. The performance will include a wide variety of music, including arrangements from the Count Basie Orchestra and Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band. The museum is located at 701 NW Ferris Ave., Lawton, overlooking Elmer Thomas Park. The public is encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets for a fun evening of music. Cold beverages will be provided by KCCU-FM.

Bergeron is one of the busiest trumpet players in Los Angeles, balancing studio calls, performing and teaching. He was the lead trumpet player for the Maynard Ferguson Band and has recorded with some of L.A.'s most well respected big bands, including Quincy Jones, Pat Williams, Gordon Goodwin and Sammy Nestico. He has been involved with more than 150 record projects with artists such as Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera, Chicago, Ray Charles, Celine Dion, Billy Joel, Diana Krall, Barry Manilow, Green Day, Rosemary Clooney, Bette Midler and Brian Setzer.

His first solo big band CD, "You Call This A Living?" earned him a Grammy nomination in 2004 for Best Large Jazz Ensemble.

Bergeron has numerous television and film credits. He can be heard on the themes from ESPN and TNT sports, "Entertainment Tonight," "American Idol," and "Jeopardy." He has worked on more than 250 soundtracks, including "The Incredibles," "Pink Panther," "National Treasure," "Spiderman 2," and "Pirates of the Caribbean."

The Artillery Jazz Band is the 77th U.S. Army Band's stage band. Under the direction of First Sergeant Mark Haas, the 18-piece ensemble frequently performs concerts for military as well as civilian audiences. Last year, the band was featured along with former 77th Army Band member Tim McDonald at the Cameron University Jazz Festival.

The band members hail from across the U.S.   Oklahomans in the group are: Sergeant First Class James Riley, Lawton; Sergeant First Class Larry Ballinger, Muskogee; Staff Sergeant Eric Cryer, Norman; Staff Sergeant Jesse Brown, Tecumseh; and Specialist Juan Reyes, Duncan.

The Artillery Jazz Band is one of eight active ensembles within the 77th US Army Band. Other ensembles include: concert band, marching band, ceremonial band, Direct Fire (a pop/rock/country band), two jazz combos and the Red Leg Brass Quintet.

CAPTION 1: Yamaha Recording Artist Wayne Bergeron will make a special appearance with The Artillery Jazz Band in a free concert in the park on May 22 in Lawton. (Photo by Annamarie Rewal)