The Shades of Blue jazz ensemble from the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America will perform at Southern Arkansas University on Friday, April 11, 2025, in Grand Hall. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and the concert will start at 7:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required.

Tickets: https://saupamc.ludus.com/200477119

The Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble is a group of 18 professional enlisted musicians whose repertoire ranges from traditional big band jazz, to bebop and swing, to modern jazz. At one of their concerts, you are just as likely to hear the music of contemporary composers as you would the classic sounds of Count Basie or Glenn Miller. Several of the band’s members are also gifted composers and arrangers, and their compositions are often featured in concert.

The band has backed many jazz greats such as Tex Benecke, Denis DiBlasio, Jamey Aebersold, Mike Smith, Bobby Shew, Allen Vizzutti, Jeff Jarvis, Mike Vax, Vaughn Nark, Bill Porter, Carmen Bradford, Shelley Berg, Joe Morello, Steve Houghton and Walt Levinsky. Furthermore, the ensemble is often requested for featured performances at jazz clinics and festivals throughout the country.