The internationally ac-claimed United States Army Field Band Jazz Ambass-adors of Washington, D.C., will continue its long history of presenting free public performances when it appears at SUNY Fredonia on Saturday, April 5 at 2 p.m. in King Concert Hall at Rockefeller Arts Center.

While admission is free, tickets are required. Ticket distribution is being handled exclusively by the OBSERVER through a clip-out, mail-in coupon found in a full-page advertisement scheduled to run in Sunday’s edition. Those interested in attending are asked to follow the instructions in the advertisement.

Ticket requests will be honored in the order in which they are received until all tickets have been distributed. All ticketholders should be seated in King Concert Hall by 1:45 p.m. on the day of the performance. Non-ticketholders should gather in the lobby of the concert hall 15 minutes prior to curtain time and will be seated on a space-available basis. Possession of a ticket does not guarantee admission to the performance if the ticketholder arrives later than 1:45 p.m.

As the premier touring big band for the United States Army, this 19-member ensemble (conductor, 17-piece big band and vocalist) travels thousands of miles each year throughout the nation and abroad, keeping the will of the American people behind the members of the armed forces and supporting diplomatic efforts around the world. Since its formation in 1969, the Jazz Ambassadors have appeared in all 50 states and throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.

The Jazz Ambassadors present a diverse program of big band swing, Latin music, contemporary jazz, popular tunes, standards, Dixieland, and patriotic selections. Maestro Marvin Hamlisch, during a joint concert with the National Symphony Orchestra, said, “I can’t think of better ambassadors for our country.”

Past performance highlights include the Montreux, North Sea, and Newport Jazz Festivals, World War II 50th anniversary commemorations in the United States and Europe and performances in India and Japan. After performing with the Cincinnati Pops at Carnegie Hall, the Cincinnati Enquirer declared that “the musicianship was superb The Jazz Ambassadors are polished and seamless virtuosos.”

Members of the Jazz Ambassadors are selected by competitive audition and represent some of the finest musical talent in America. More than three decades of touring have earned them the title, “The Musical Ambassadors of the Army.”

The concert is sponsored by the OBSERVER and Rockefeller Arts Center.