thedrifter
02-02-07, 07:17 PM
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP H. M. SMITH, Hawaii(Feb. 2, 2007) -- The U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band has been invited to jive with locally and internationally renowned musicians at the 14th Annual Hawaii International Jazz Festival at the Windward Community College Great Lawn, Honolulu, Feb. 11.
Nineteen members of the band have been selected to perform as the MARFORPAC Big Band in this festival, which is one of Hawaii Tourism Authority’s 11 major festivals.
“All the major players from around Hawaii are going to be there,” said Sgt. Wilson Bautista, Big Band leader. “I’m pretty excited about this opportunity.”
The Big Band consists of a brass and rhythm section as well as all the saxophonists from the MARFORPAC Band.
The festival, voted the “Event of The Year” in 2004 by the Hawaiian Music Awards, features nearly every style of Jazz: including blues, big band swing, Latin, smooth jazz, and other contemporary styles.
“If you’re looking for something different, this is a perfect opportunity to expand your musical horizons,” said Bautista, a Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. native. “It definitely won’t be boring.”
Bautista added that this event is also a great opportunity for him and his Marines to practice a style of music they rarely get to perform.
“We get to play with these guys who have been playing their whole lives,” said Bautista, who has been playing the piano for 20 years. “We get to share our music with others just like they do.”
The Marines were informed of the event about two months ago, and, while their normal duty of playing ceremonial music has not been put aside, they have still managed to squeeze in practice for the festival. In the past two weeks, they have practiced only six times, but starting the week of Jan. 29, they will be practicing every day.
Not only is this concert an opportunity for those in the community to see the MARFORPAC band play, it’s a time for the Marines to have a little fun.
“It’s great because it’s an opportunity to get out there and do something different,” said Cpl. Brad Erdman, a trumpeter. “It will give people a different perspective on what a military band can do.”
The HIJF is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing cultural enrichment to Hawaii residents and visitors, according to the festivals website.
“It’s a chance to hear something other than the same old rock ‘n’ roll and R&B,” said Erdman, a Baltimore native.
Bautista and Erdman agree this festival has a little bit of something for everyone.
“[The festival] offers a solid, old style of music with a mix of local flavor,” said Bautista. “I encourage people to come out and enjoy the show.”
The festival and parking are free. The MARFORPAC Big Band is scheduled to perform around noon. The festival lasts from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
On the Net:
www.hawaiijazz.com
Ellie
Nineteen members of the band have been selected to perform as the MARFORPAC Big Band in this festival, which is one of Hawaii Tourism Authority’s 11 major festivals.
“All the major players from around Hawaii are going to be there,” said Sgt. Wilson Bautista, Big Band leader. “I’m pretty excited about this opportunity.”
The Big Band consists of a brass and rhythm section as well as all the saxophonists from the MARFORPAC Band.
The festival, voted the “Event of The Year” in 2004 by the Hawaiian Music Awards, features nearly every style of Jazz: including blues, big band swing, Latin, smooth jazz, and other contemporary styles.
“If you’re looking for something different, this is a perfect opportunity to expand your musical horizons,” said Bautista, a Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. native. “It definitely won’t be boring.”
Bautista added that this event is also a great opportunity for him and his Marines to practice a style of music they rarely get to perform.
“We get to play with these guys who have been playing their whole lives,” said Bautista, who has been playing the piano for 20 years. “We get to share our music with others just like they do.”
The Marines were informed of the event about two months ago, and, while their normal duty of playing ceremonial music has not been put aside, they have still managed to squeeze in practice for the festival. In the past two weeks, they have practiced only six times, but starting the week of Jan. 29, they will be practicing every day.
Not only is this concert an opportunity for those in the community to see the MARFORPAC band play, it’s a time for the Marines to have a little fun.
“It’s great because it’s an opportunity to get out there and do something different,” said Cpl. Brad Erdman, a trumpeter. “It will give people a different perspective on what a military band can do.”
The HIJF is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing cultural enrichment to Hawaii residents and visitors, according to the festivals website.
“It’s a chance to hear something other than the same old rock ‘n’ roll and R&B,” said Erdman, a Baltimore native.
Bautista and Erdman agree this festival has a little bit of something for everyone.
“[The festival] offers a solid, old style of music with a mix of local flavor,” said Bautista. “I encourage people to come out and enjoy the show.”
The festival and parking are free. The MARFORPAC Big Band is scheduled to perform around noon. The festival lasts from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
On the Net:
www.hawaiijazz.com
Ellie