Shades of Blue light up concert

The audience in Cape Central High School's auditorium Saturday were treated to an evening of jazz, much of it from the Big Band era, and reminded listeners why the period gave birth to phrases like "hip" and "cool."

The U.S. Air Force Band Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble played to a full house Saturday with a repertoire that also included some bebop and even pop.

Residents of the Missouri Veterans Home, toddlers and people of every age in between were represented as the personable members of an 18-piece ensemble engaged the audience for two entertaining 50-minute sets.

Beginning with "Jeannine," a rollicking piece written for the U.S. Air Force band by Duke Pearson, the group then launched into Sammy Nestico's "Fun Time," then John Coltrane's "Big Nick."

Musical director Master Sgt. Mark Hansen shared the little-known fact that Coltrane himself was a military musician, serving in the U.S. Navy in 1949.

Trumpeter George Pierce arranged the piece and carried several solos throughout the show, often answered by Hansen's nimble fingers on the alto saxophone.

Brought down the house

Vocalist Steve Thulon perfomed most of the vocals for the show, while band superintendent Sharon Johnson stepped in for "Almost Like Being in Love" and pianist Ronald "Cab Calloway" Gray brought the house down with his scat singing in the first act finale, "Zoot Suit Riot."

Gray, a 26-year veteran of the Air Force, will be retiring this year.

"Trieste Toro," a piece written by Tech. Sgt. Dean W. Smith, highlighted the abilities of Jeremy Pfeffer on the upright bass and Rick Thorp on the trombone.

Trumpets and trombones raised the volume from whisper to riot for "Basie Straight Ahead."

Thulon's voice was perfectly suited for "Shed a Little Light," a prayer for peace written by pop/folk singer James Taylor.

In a reminder that the country is once again at war, Hansen introduced the local Air Force recruiter with the words, "As many of you may realize, we're hiring."

The night ended as band members, all volunteer Air Force service members, gave thanks to veterans in the audience, "the folks who came before," Hansen said.

abuchanan@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160