Since the days of Glenn Miller, the Airforce has been used in both march and swing time. This latest album by “Airmen of Note” is an exciting collection of material under the command and conducting of Colonel Larry Ha. Lang fronting a 17 member band and vocalist. The musicians, mostly master or technical sergeants, are as snappy as barrack bed sheets, with the material ranging from traditional Asian folk themes to Latin and modern jazz.
The brass section shows its punch on the bold “Sakura” while the moody “Arirang” is a thoughtful reedy wonder, featuring Jeff Martin’s trombone and Chris Ziemba’s piano respectively. A gorgeous samba “Inutil Paisagem” and Beatles piece “Blackbird” feature Paige Wroble’s alluring voice in different formats, while she gets ethereal on “Obiero” along with Doug Morgan’s baritone sax. The sax team of Tyler Kuebler/ss, Mike Cemprola/ss, Tedd Baker/ts and Grant Langford/ts slither along an exciting “Itsbynne Reel” while the rhythm team is dainty and delicate for Geoff Reecer’s guitar on “Remembering.” Off into the wild blue yonder!