ABOUT THE AIRMEN OF Note
The Airmen of Note is the premier jazz ensemble of the United States Air Force. Stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., it is one of six musical ensembles that form The U.S. Air Force Band. Created in 1950 to continue the tradition of Major Glenn Miller's Army Air Forces dance band, the current band consists of 18 active-duty musicians, including one vocalist. Through the years, the Airmen of Note has presented its own brand of big band jazz as well as more contemporary forms of jazz to audiences via annual tours across the United States, deployments around the world, and local performances throughout metropolitan Washington D.C. For smaller, more intimate venues, the Airmen of Note Combo and various individual musicians perform apart from the full band to support military and civilian ceremonial and diplomatic events.
Their commitment to musical excellence has earned the foremost jazz artists’ respect worldwide, leading to many collaborative performances and recordings with such luminaries as Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughan, and Doc Severinsen. In 1990, the Airmen of Note established the Jazz Heritage Series, featuring the “Note” in concert with legendary icons of jazz. The series broadcasts to millions over National Public Radio, independent jazz radio stations, satellite radio services, and the internet. Additionally, the “Note” produces and delivers recorded music to millions of fans worldwide through hundreds of media outlets. One of the group's holiday recordings, "Cool Yule," reached #2 on the JazzWeek jazz chart.
As part of The U.S. Air Force Band, the Airmen of Note’s mission is to HONOR those who have served, INSPIRE American citizens to heightened patriotism and service, and CONNECT with the global community on behalf of the U.S. Air Force and the United States. The excellence demonstrated by the Airmen of Note reflects the excellence displayed by all Airmen stationed worldwide, whose selfless service and sacrifices ensure the freedoms enjoyed by citizens of the United States of America.
PERSONNEL
SAXOPHONE
LEAD ALTO - Master Sgt. Kristian Baarsvik, Marion, MA
SECOND ALTO - Master Sgt. Mike Cemprola, Philadelphia, PA
LEAD TENOR - Master Sgt. Tedd Baker, Marshfield, MA
SECOND TENOR - Senior Master Sgt. Grant Langford, Chapel Hill, NC
BARITONE - Technical Sgt. Seth Ebersole, Reading, PA
Trumpet
LEAD - Chief Master Sgt. Brian MacDonald, Fort Lauderdale, FL
SPLIT-LEAD - Technical Sgt. Fareed Simpson-Hankens, Philadelphia, PA
THIRD - Senior Master Sgt. Luke Brandon, Philadelphia, PA
FOURTH - Master Sgt. Logan Keese, San Antonio, TX
trombone
LEAD - Technical Sgt. Matthew Hettwer, Salem, OR
SECOND - Technical Sgt. Brendan LaniGhan, Buffalo, NY
THIRD - Master Sgt. Kevin Cerovich, Overland Park, KS
BASS - Master Sgt. Benjamin Polk, Greenbush, ME
Rhythm
GUITAR - Senior Master Sgt. Geoff Reecer, Arlington, VA
BASS - Technical Sgt. Ben Thomas, Windsor, CT
DRUMS - Master Sgt. David McDonald, Decatur, IL
vocalist
Technical Sgt. Clara Campbell, Bountiful, UT
audio engineers
Master Sgt. Nathan Martin, Oak Lawn, IL
Technical Sgt. James Woolf, Phillips, WI
Chief Master Sgt. Brian Macdonald, flight chief
Chief Master Sgt. Brian MacDonald is the lead trumpeter and Flight Chief of The Airmen of Note, The United States Air Force Band, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C. A native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, his career in the Air Force began in 1999.
After graduating from Nova High School in 1991, MacDonald began his studies at Broward Community College where he was a member of the International Association of Jazz Educators National Community College Jazz Band in 1993 and 1995. In 1999, he graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Music degree in performance. MacDonald has performed with the Woody Herman Band, the Maynard Ferguson Band and the Glenn Miller Band. Additionally, he has made numerous appearances on national television with KC and the Sunshine Band. His teachers include Jeff Kaye, Gil Johnson, Bobby Shew and Roger Ingram.
While in the military, MacDonald has been featured on the Airmen of Note's 50th and 60th anniversary concerts, the recreation of the Glenn Miller Orchestra tour to Europe and Turkey, Operation Desert Greetings tour to CENTCOM, and has performed at the Detroit, San Jose and Elkhart jazz festivals.
Senior Master Sgt. LUCAS BRANDON, music director
Senior Master Sgt. Lucas Brandon is the music director and trumpeter for the Airmen of Note, The United States Air Force Band, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C. A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, his Air Force career began in 2013.
Brandon completed his Bachelor of Music degree in jazz trumpet performance from Temple University in 2010. While there, he studied privately with jazz trumpeter and bandleader Terell Stafford -- a mentorship to which he attributes much of his interest in big band repertoire and band leadership. In 2012, Brandon was awarded top honors at the National Trumpet Competition, Jazz Division.
Brandon has collaborated with luminaries Benny Golson, Jimmy Heath, Nicholas Payton, Slide Hampton, Phil Woods, Bob Dorough, Orrin Evans, Dick Oatts, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia, as well as pop icons Molly Ringwald, Bobby Rydell, and The Temptations.
Brandon's Air Force career highlights include the Jazz Heritage Series concerts with Terell Stafford, Branford Marsalis, Christian McBride, Chris Potter, Kenny Barron, Peter Bernstein, and Peter Erskine, as well as numerous appearances at some of the country's top jazz festivals, including Detroit, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Lionel Hampton and Hartford jazz festivals. Brandon marched in the 45th Presidential Inauguration and the 2017 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. He also performed on several Airmen of Note recordings including “Veterans of Jazz," “AIR Power!," and “Global Reach."
To learn more about The U.S. Air Force Band and career opportunities, please visit us online!
usairforceband.com
