JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The U.S. Air Force Band's Airmen of Note toured Idaho and Missouri from Feb. 26-28, 2015.
The tour's mission supported the Air Force Band's mission of honoring those who have served, inspiring patriotism and positively impact the global community.
"These large music festivals not only reach the local community, but also draw audiences from across the region," said Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Burns, Acting NCO in-charge of the Airmen of Note. "One festival event can have a massive geographic reach."
The Band performed at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho and a concert at Missouri State University, Missouri.
The tour included help from other services and a veteran.
"The support from other services helped our unit support our important deployment mission, as these members filled in for Airman musicians that are currently deployed," said Chief Master Sgt. Jennifer L. Pagnard, U.S. Air Force Band marketing and outreach chief. "This kind of collaboration is one small example of the joint-service atmosphere experienced across the Air Force and the military at-large."
According to Burns, the trip was a wonderful experience.
"We had a great time!" Burns said. "One highlight was getting to perform alongside a stellar jazz artist, Stefon Harris, during part of our set at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. We also made friends with the artistic director for the festival, John Clayton. John has recorded with most everyone in the industry, and is a top Los Angeles band leader and studio musician."
The excellence the band seeks to embody in their mission and performances preceded the tour buses.
"It's always an eye-opening experience to hear someone like John Clayton give such a glowing introduction for us prior to our performance," Burns said. "Even though we were meeting this icon of the industry for the first time, we got the sense he knew us quite well."
It is tours like these, fitting into the larger mission of the band, that put the excellence in all the Air Force does on display.
"Music is a powerful weapon for good," Burns said. "I love being able to say 'If you think this is cool, you should see what the rest of our Airmen are doing every day for this country."