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Summer Fare Features Upbeat Sounds of Marine Big Band

28 Jul 2015 | Staff Sgt. Brian Rust United States Marine Band

Summer Fare concerts continue this week with an eclectic mix of lively jazz and big band music by the Marine Big Band with performances at 8 p.m., Wednesday, July 29, on the west terrace of the U.S. Capitol and Thursday, July 30, at the Sylvan Theater on the grounds of the Washington Monument. The evening performances are free and no tickets are required. Patrons are encouraged to bring folding chairs or blankets to sit on as there is no permanent seating available.

 

Made up of members of “The President’s Own,” the Marine Big Band concerts will feature a mixed bag of jazz and big band favorites giving all the members a chance to shine. Led by guitarist Gunnery Sgt. Alan Prather, the group will perform songs by Pat Metheny, Neal Hefti, Johnny Mandel, Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, James van Heusen, John Klenner and Sam M. Lewis, and Harry Warren. Selections will include such classic big band tunes as “Satin Doll” and “Take the ‘A’ Train,” as well as the more contemporary hits “Does this Chart Make Me Look Phat?” and “Hunting Wabbits” by Grammy-award winning musician Gordon Goodwin.

 

“These concerts give us an opportunity to perform songs we don’t normally get to play and allow us more opportunity to improvise and express ourselves musically,” Prather said. “We really enjoy playing the summer concerts at the Capitol and Sylvan Theater and this program features a little something for everybody.”

 

Along with Prather, the Marine Big Band members include saxophonists Master Sgts. Steven Longoria and Miles Smith, Gunnery Sgts. Gregory Ridlington and David Jenkins, and Staff Sgt. Jacob Chmara; trumpeters Master Sgts. Christian Ferrari and Scott Gearhart and Gunnery Sgts. Daniel Orban and Brad Weil; trombonists Gunnery Sgts. Darren Bange and Timothy Dugan and Staff Sgt. Christopher Reaves; bass trombonist Staff Sgt. Daniel Brady; percussionists Master Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Rose and Master Sgt. Glenn Paulson; double bassist Master Sgt. Aaron Clay; and pianist Staff Sgt. Christopher Schmitt.

 

For the Summer Fare performances, limited street parking is available. For concerts at the Capitol, patrons may take the red line to Union Station or the blue, orange, or silver lines to the Capitol South station. For concerts at the Sylvan Theater, take the blue, orange, or silver lines to the Smithsonian station. The concerts are free but weather permitting, and programming is subject to change. Inclement weather announcements will be made by 6 p.m. on the band’s Concert Information Line at (202) 433-4011 and on the Marine Band’s website and social media pages.

Complete Program