Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble to perform

The Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble of the U.S. Air Force band will perform in Cape Girardeau Saturday. The concert is at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Central Junior High Auditorium.

Tickets are free and should be requested in advance from the Southeast Missourian. The concert is open to the general public, but only ticketholders will be allowed in before 6:45 p.m.

Tickets are limited to four per request.

The 18 musicians who play with the jazz ensemble are all trained in jazz, but their styles range from be-bop to big band to modern.

The band has played backup to many nationally-known professional jazz musicians and is often requested to play at jazz clinics and festivals throughout the country.

The group has been performing in Cape Girardeau for at least 25 years, said Kim McDowell, who is helping coordinate the event. For ticket information, call 335-6611.