Former Airmen of Note Band Director Gene Egge To Be Guest Conductor
MELBOURNE, FL, September 25, 2009 – The October concerts by the Swingtime Jazz Band – part of the Melbourne Municipal Band – will feature selections composed especially for the group by internationally known arranger Gene Egge. Egge also will be on hand to conduct the numbers. The two “A Musical Trip” concerts will take place October 14 and 15 beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Melbourne Auditorium.
“For many years, Gene was the conductor of Airmen of Note, which is the official ‘big band’ of the United States Air Force Band stationed in Washington, D.C.,” said Clair Christy, conductor. “He was considered one of the best arrangers in the world and we are very fortunate that he has written some selections just for us. We know the audience will be delighted.”
Though Egge is now retired, the Airmen of Note band still performs across the U.S. and will be in Florida for several performances in November.
In addition to a wide range of favorite tunes, popular local vocalists Sally Hart and Len Fallen will sing during the concert.
Admission is free but tickets are required. More information about these events, ticket locations, and the band is available by visiting www.mmband.org or calling 724-0555.
About the Melbourne Municipal Band
The Melbourne Municipal Band (MMB), established in 1965, plays free concerts for the citizens of Brevard County nearly every month, and also contributes to the community through parades, patriotic concerts and ceremonial performances. Some 30 percent of the band’s 80-plus members are professional musicians. In a typical year, the band serves 69,000 concert attendees, and its members give 27,000 hours of community service in the form of rehearsals and performance time.
Swingtime is the MMB’s 20-piece jazz band, playing music from the 1920s to the 1970s. The for-hire band features saxophones, trombones, trumpets, a piano, guitar, bass and trap set, along with two vocalists and a conductor/announcer.
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