Listen to monster big-band jazz for free
August 20th, 2009 | by mbhunter |This past weekend I went up to DC with a friend from church to hear a free big-band jazz concert. Three different bands were battling it out.
The participants? The Navy Commodores, the Army Blues, and the Airmen of Note.
The talent on the stage was absolutely disgusting. The drummers ranged from solid to Buddy Rich’s doppelgänger. The trumpet sections screamed. It was a wall of sound. (Check out Amazing Grace recorded by the Airmen. Download the song for free. And while you’re at it, check out all of the other songs by the other groups that you can download for free.)
It was a real treat. What my friend said was that these bands used to be feeder bands for folks like Buddy Rich – like the way the minor leagues develop talent for the majors. Now that there are fewer touring big bands, the talent stays more.
We saw the concert in the Carter Barron Amphitheater in Rock Creek Park. The sound was fantastic.
What’s more, the Airmen had a gift for everyone who wanted one: a full 77-minute CD with 13 live tracks. They gave away hundreds of CDs that evening.
If you like jazz music, try to take advantage of this stuff while it lasts! Check out the schedules as to where they’ll be playing, or at the very least listen and enjoy. Not only is the music DRM-free, it is free! 
One Response to “Listen to monster big-band jazz for free”
By DW on Aug 31, 2009 | Reply
Thank you! I had no idea this was available. I’ll be busy downloading….