The Army Blues Jazz Ensemble, featuring Ed Soph, John Riley, Keith Carlock, Peter Erskine, Emil Richards (vibe) and other special guest drummers and percussionists
Friday Evening Concert
Friday, 8:15 p.m.

The U.S. Army Blues is the premier jazz ensemble of the United States Army. After beginning informally in 1970, this 18-piece ensemble became an official part of the Army Band in 1972.  The Army Blues has performed at prestigious venues such as the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Montreux Jazz Festival, the famous Birdland jazz club in New York City, and the legendary Blues Alley club in Washington, D.C. The band has shared the stage with jazz greats such as Dave Brubeck, Doc Severinsen, Stanley Turrentine, Slide Hampton, Dr. Billy Taylor, Kevin Mahogany, and Terrell Stafford.  In 2007, to celebrate the band’s 35th anniversary, the band recorded a double CD album called Blues at Thirty-Five. This album won two Washington Area Music Awards (“Wammies”) in the categories of Best Big Band Group and Best Big Band Recording. The group’s most recent recording, Live at Blues Alley, features many new compositions by members of the band.

Sponsor

US Army