CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The U.S. Air Force Rhythm in Blue Jazz Ensemble concluded its 7-day West Virginia tour Wednesday in Charleston.
The ensemble holding concerts in Parkersburg, Ripley and Huntington prior to its performance at Haddad Riverfront Park.
Master Sgt. Jason Foster, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the group, said the tour ‘s program focused on 100 years of jazz music.
“This is actually an anniversary year for us in the jazz world and the Air Force,” Foster said. “This is the 100th anniversary of the first jazz recording, the 100th anniversary of the birth of Ella Fitzgerald and is also the 70th anniversary of the Air Force.”
Foster said his band is a modification of a big jazz band and spends 60 to 100 days a year performing on the road.
“When we’re on the road, we’re doing community relations tours,” he said. “We’ve been staying in Charleston but going to different places.”
Foster said the two things he enjoyed about his time in the Mountain State was the scenery and the people they have interacted with at shows.
“The mountains and the rivers here are just beautiful,” he said. “Even better than that is the hospitality we’ve been shown at every location.”
Foster said the band will return to Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton, Virginia following Wednesday’s performance. Some musicians will travel to Boston and New York as performances as part of the Air Force’s concert band.