United States Air Force Band returning to South Florida for trio of free concerts

The United States Air Force Band Jazz Ensemble Airmen of Note Tour of Florida with performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov.  14, Miami Senior High School, 7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 15, Florida Atlantic University and Saturday, Nov. 16, Bailey Hall, 3501 Davie Rd., Davie. (Photo courtesy The USAF Band)

It has been five years since the United States Air Force Band performed in South Florida, and now, they are back—coincidentally, following Veteran’s Day, for three free concerts in Miami-Dade and Broward County.

The Airmen of Note is led by Chief Master Sergeant Brian MacDonald who has deep ties to South Florida.

“I graduated from Nova High School in Davie, attended Broward Community College and have a degree from the University of Miami,” says MacDonald. “This is really a great homecoming for me to return to Bailey Hall in Davie.”

He is looking forward to having friends, family, and colleagues in the audience and immensely proud to be leading such a prestigious musical group.

Airmen of Note performing in front of Mt. Rushmore. (Photo courtesy of The USAF Band)

The Airmen of Note was formed in 1950 to continue the legacy of the great big band leader Glenn Miller, whose music is a big part of the band’s repertoire. They also perform patriotic, classical and the music of modern big bands.

“The premise of the musical program will feature all of those and of course military music as well, given we are an Air Force Band,” says MacDonald. “We are especially excited about Airmen of Note’s upcoming 75th Anniversary.”

As one of six performing groups in the Air Force, the Airmen of Note, based in Washington, DC, play for the senior leaders in the nation’s capital. “We perform at the White House quite frequently,” he said, “as well as at the Department of Defense and The Pentagon.”

Their main mission is to honor service members to connect the global community on behalf of the Air Force “and showcase the excellence of these airmen and their work throughout the globe,” he said.

MacDonald’s love of music began at an early age when in middle school he began playing woodwinds and finally landing on the trumpet, which he plays to this day, in eighth grade. He carried that into high school playing in the Nova High School Jazz Band.

“Many of the high school jazz band members went on to teach music and play professionally,” he said. “It will be really special to perform at Bailey Hall which I remember always seeing across the fence from my high school.”

His was not a direct path to the Air Force. During his college years he performed on a cruise ship and performed for a show band in Spain where he spent several years. He eventually returned to Miami in 1995 and that is when he was tapped to perform with KC and the Sunshine Band.

“I performed with the band from 1995 to 1999 when I graduated from the University of Miami,” said MacDonald. “I traveled all over the world with KC and the Sunshine Band.”

He also performed with the legendary jazz artist Maynard Ferguson as lead trumpet player, and it was at one of those shows when he seized the opportunity to join the Air Force Band.

“The arranger for Airmen of Note at the time was in the audience at a Maynard Ferguson show and afterward, approached me about auditioning for them and in Spring of 1999 they offered me the job,” he said. He considers Ferguson one of his biggest influences and mentors, along with high school teachers and college professors.

His decision that day turned into a 25-year career with the Air Force Band leading to his becoming the band’s leaders and what he considers “a very meaningful job with amazing people.”

The Airmen of Note members are all active-duty service members. We go through basic training like all enlisted personnel. Once they pass the audition for Airmen of Note, they bring their acceptance notification to their superior and are permanently based in Washington, DC.

The Airmen of Note Ensemble. (Photo courtesy of The USAF Band)

At the performances in Miami, Davie and Boca Raton, audiences can expect a 90-minute show commencing with the national anthem and a blend of Glenn Miller favorites, jazz standards and new compositions.

Although he will be retired before the next tour in five years, MacDonald is thankful for his “unique and extraordinary path filled with so many wonderful experiences and sharing in the camaraderie with this amazing group of performers.”

WHAT: United States Air Force Band Jazz Ensemble Airmen of Note Tour of Florida

WHEN AND WHERE: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov.  14, Miami Senior High School, 2450 SW First St., Miami; 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, Florida Atlantic University Carole and Barry Kay Performing Arts Auditorium, 777 Glades Rd., Boca Raton; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, Bailey Hall, 3501 Davie Rd., Davie.

COST: Free but tickets required.

INFORMATION: www.music.af.mil/USAFBand/Events/National-Tours

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