USAF Rhythm in Blue Jazz Ensemble to perform at the 26th annual N.C. Pickle Festival
MOUNT OLIVE—The U.S. Air Force Rhythm in Blue Jazz Ensemble will present a 90-minute program at the 26th annual North Carolina Pickle Festival on Saturday, April 28.
The 13-piece ensemble will perform on the Mount Olive Tribune Dancers Stage, located on the grass at the corner of North Center and West College streets, from 3:30-5 p.m. A pickle festival favorite, The Boys of Carolina Blue Grass Band, will also perform just before Rhythm in Blue, from 2-3 p.m.
“We were really excited when they contacted us about playing at the festival,” said Julie Beck, festival co-chairman, of Rhythm in Blue. “This is a great opportunity for festival-goers to enjoy some truly great music at the end of the festival day.”
Rhythm in Blue is one of five touring ensembles that make up the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band.
It performs the American musical art forms of jazz, blues and funk, including music by jazz masters Charlie Parker, Oscar Peterson, Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock. The ensemble also plays homage to the Big Band leaders of the swing era, such as Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Count Basie and Glenn Miller. In addition, the ensemble’s vocalist dazzles with music from jazz divas like Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and Diane Schuur.
The concert is free. Those attending are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for the show. A canned food drive to benefit the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina will also be held in conjunction with the performance.
Free parking is available all day that Saturday at University of Mount Olive’s Kornegay Arena, and shuttles courtesy of the college will run from the parking area to downtown regularly. The shuttle stop is within a block of the concert site.
The N.C. Pickle Festival Main Day Saturday, April 28 gets underway at 9 a.m. and concludes at 5 p.m. For complete festival information, go to www.ncpicklefest.org, or call the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce at (919) 658-3113.