`SHADES OF BLUE': AIR FORCE ENSEMBLE TO GIVE FREE CONCERT

Playing in a band may seem cushy compared to the mundane or dangerous military jobs available, but nobody can accuse the musicians in the Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble of taking it easy.

The jazz musicians play about 100 times a year throughout Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri and Arkansas. Most also perform in concert or pop bands sponsored by the Air Force Mobility Command Band, which is responsible for providing musicians for more than 600 shows each year.

"We play everything from community relations events to military performances like changes of command, to the arrival of heavy DV's (distinguished visitors)," said Master Sgt. Ronald Gray, the jazz ensemble's pianist and director.

His musicians also are responsible for the administrative support services required of scheduling so many performances.

On Wednesday, Gray will emcee the 19-piece band's free concert beginning at 7 p.m. in the Central High School gym.

The free tickets are available at the Southeast Missourian, 301 Broadway, or by sending the newspaper a self-addressed, stamped envelop. The Southeast Missourian and Cape Central High School are co-sponsoring the concert.

The program will be Big Band-based in the Count Basie-Glenn Miller mood, featuring familiar tunes like "Just One of Those Things," "Without A Song," "Almost Like Being in Love" and Miller's famous theme song, "Moonlight Serenade."

Along with some patriotic tunes, the band also borrows songs from current Big Band-phenomenon Harry Connick Jr.'s repertoire, and even mounts an Elvis Presley tribute.

One curious selection on the program is titled, "I'm Getting Cement All Over You."

It is billed as a concert people of all ages can enjoy.

Spotlighted will be the band's female vocalist, Technical Sgt. Sharon Johnson, who has performed with Bob Hope, John Denver and Joe Feeney of the "Lawrence Welk Show."

The band also has a male vocalist who is not along on this trip.

The ensemble is partly a recruitment tool for the Air Force, but it's short on fresh-faced novices. That's because most members of Air Force bands were seasoned musicians before joining the military.

"We don't have time to teach them," Gray said from the band's home at Scott Air Force Base in Belleville, Ill.

"(Band members) have been out in the world a little bit or have been gigging around with different bands."

Besides taking the standard tests called the Armed Services Vocational Battery, each musician also is required to submit a resume and a tape recording. Each also must undergo an audition requiring the playing of scales, etudes and sight-read material.

"Ninety-nine of 100 high school graduates will not make it into the band," Gray said.

The Air Mobility Command Band is one at 15 active-duty musical organizations the Air Force sponsors worldwide. They are affectionately called "field bands," as opposed to the elite Air Force Band in Washington., D.C., and the band sponsored by the Air Force Academy in Colorado.

Gray, a 16-year veteran of Air Force bands, is an alumnus of the latter.

Tickets are not required for admission, but only ticket-holders will be allowed in for seating before 6:45 p.m. No seats are reserved.