PORT ANGELES — An extravaganza of jazz and patriotic music is coming up — and admission is free.
The Falconaires, the premier jazz band of the Air Force, will perform in the Port Angeles High School auditorium, 304 E. Park Ave., at 7 p.m. Monday, April 23.
The band, based at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., will play new and sophisticated jazz, classic big-band sounds of Glenn Miller and patriotic salutes to veterans and America.
The local Stardust Big Band will warm up the audience before the Falconaires.
Earlier in the day, the Falconaires will present a jazz clinic for high school music students from across the North Olympic Peninsula.
“I rate the Falconaires as one of the best today,” said Doc Severinson, former “Tonight Show” band leader and trumpeter.
“A killer band! I would be proud to play with this group anywhere, anytime,” said Shelly Berg, pianist, composer, arranger and Jazz Studies chair of the University of Southern California School of Music.
Seating in the auditorium is first-come, first-served.
Sponsoring the free concert are Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles High School and its band boosters club and the Stardust Big Band, which is donating its performance.
PDN publisher and editor John Brewer will serve as master of ceremonies.
The Falconaires last performed in Port Angeles on Nov. 15, 2010, but a windstorm-spawned power failure abruptly stopped their concert before it was half over.
For more information about the April 23 concert, contact Brewer at 360-417-3500 or Bobbie Usselman of Stardust Big Band at 360-681-3432.