The Airmen of Note was created in 1950 to carry on the jazz tradition of Glenn Miller’s Army Air Forces Dance Band. Not only does it continue to strive through the decades but has developed into a great modern jazz band. Back in 2005, Free Albums Galore featured two albums from the band, Invitation and Tiempo Latino, both in a measly MP3 bitrate of 64kbps. Since then, The Airmen of Note added five newer albums all with an improved bitrate of 192kbps and higher. The higher quality certainly helps us appreciate the tight arrangemenst and crisp sound of this band which is one of the very few big jazz bands that still tours regularly. You can find their albums listed here, along with a few other recordings still in the lower sound quality.
A good place to start is with Keep Them Flying: A Salute to the Music of Major Glenn Miller which bring back the sound of Glenn Miller in all its glory.The renditions of Miller classics “In The Mood”, “Tuxedo Junction” and “American Patrol” are especially nice. Out in Front is a more contemporary jazz album with each track features a performer in the band. Not surprisingly all of the musician are top notched artistst with virtuoso ability. I especially recommend listening to the alto sax solo by Andy Axelrad on “Yardbird Suite”and the trombone solo by Jeff Martin on Wayne Shorter’s “Speak No Evil”. A double treat is in store on “A Timeless Place (The Peacock)” with vocalist Paige Wroble, and trombonist Joe Jackson. Special mention needs to be given to the excellent arrangements by Alan Baylock.
Airmen of Note Live is just what it says, a live recording with a lot of excitement. Highlights include the original “No. I Don’t Fly Planes” featuring arranger/trombonist Ben Patterson and a steaming version of Herbie Hancock’s “Riot”.
Two holiday themed album are here with A Holiday Note From Home being the more traditional but still swinging choice.. Cool Yule is hip, jazzy and is the only online release at 256kbps. If you like Brian Setzer’s Christmas albums you will like this.
Finally, Fifty Years of Airmen of Note is a 50th anniversary release from 200o compiling the highlight recordings of the band. The bitrate is only 64kbps yet it is worth the listen for both its historical worth and the fact that two tracks have some heavy weight vocalists, Sarah Vaughn on “Till Love Touches Your Life” and Joe Williams on “Old Man River.
Hope you enjoy this hot Air Force band. If you enjoy the music support the artists, and our boys in the U.S. Air Force, by buying the CD’s in better sound quality
Download
Keep Them Flying: A Salute to the Music of Major Glenn Miller
Out in Front
Airman of Note Live
A Holiday Note From Home
CoolYule
Ffty Years of Airmen of Note