The U.S. Army Blues Jazz Ensemble

The U.S. Army Blues celebrated its 35th Anniversary in 2007. After beginning informally in 1970,

The Army Blues became an official part of the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in

1972. Over the years it has evolved into the premier jazz ensemble of the U.S.Army. As a

component of The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” the Army Blues is one of the

few remaining professional big bands working today. Comprised of alumni of prestigious music

schools and veterans of the professional music scene, it is an ensemble of the finest jazz

musicians in the nation.

In keeping with the tradition of America’s only original art form, jazz, the Army Blues strives

to preserve the music of such big band legends as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Woody

Herman, and Stan Kenton. Additionally, many members are accomplished composers and

arrangers who contribute their talents by writing for the ensemble—often catering to the musical strengths of the individual band members—much in the style of legendary big band arrangers.

The 18-piece ensemble has performed at world-renowned venues including the Monterey Jazz

Festival in California, the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, New York City’s historic

Birdland, and Washington, DC’s legendary Blues Alley. The Army Blues has also performed

with jazz greats Doc Severinsen, Arturo Sandoval, Stanley Turrentine, Louie Bellson, Marlena

Shaw, James Moody, Kevin Mahogany, Dave Brubeck, Slide Hampton and Dr. Billy Taylor.

The group is a regular performer at the International Association for Jazz Education, International Trumpet Guild, and International Trombone Conferences. Performances at the White House,

State Department, and various high-profile military venues are not uncommon. Also, the Army

Blues plays an important role in community outreach by performing for the public around the

National Capital Region. In conjunction with the USO and the office of the Sergeant Major of

the Army, members volunteer their services to perform in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait during the holiday season in support of their fellow Soldiers stationed overseas.

Serving as musical ambassadors, the group’s members are very active in the nation’s school

systems. In addition to performing, the mission of the ensemble includes educational outreach

and recruitment. Members share their knowledge and experience with musicians of all levels

through master classes and one-on-one instruction. The unparalleled professionalism of the

Army Blues upholds a level of musicianship that matches the U.S. Army's standards of quality

and excellence.

The last week of January 2007 saw the Army Blues in the studio recording what is to be the

band’s first official recording since early 2004. These sessions showcase this powerful big band

on charts created by composers and arrangers from within the group. New on this recording are

tracks of small groups including a New Orleans style combo which traveled to a hurricane-ravaged Louisiana in September 2006; a Latin jazz combo; and other smaller ensembles, several of which

have been involved in the recruiting effort throughout the last few years.