[littlefeet]

The Army Jazz Ambassadors have an upcoming opening for a tenor saxophonist. Auditions are Feb 20 & 21, 2008. Application deadline of Jan 16. For continuing updates/info visit our site at www.jazzambassadors.com Current opening does not have application packet requirements listed on site as of 9/14 but will shortly. Site will give much other info about the band. And again, this is for the Jazz Ambassadors, NOT our concert band.

The Ambassadors will be on tour in WV, PA, IN, IL, MN, MI, WS, OH in Oct and Nov. Site will have dates and details.

Practice Hard!!

 

[jazzbluescat]

Don't get me wrong, it's nice that you'd give one of us on SOTW a crack at the job, but, it's seems the military could get a player in-house to fill the spot(?). Or has it tried? Or maybe this job is a quasi-contractor gig(?).

 

[Agent27]

Trust me, most of the top guys from all the regional service bands (Army, Navy, Air Force) will be auditioning for that spot. The DC bands only take the best and if no applicant is suitable, they won't take anyone and open up another round of auditions. I have no problem with them opening it up to a larger pool of applicants. There are a lot of guys who wouldn't otherwise join a military band who would jump at a chance to join the Ambassadors.

IMO, the Ambassadors are a close 2nd to the Airmen of Note as far as the premier military jazz ensembles go. And they are the only one (I think) that really tours.

 

[gary]

I used to work with those guys in the 70's...right down the hall from Dave Wolpe, matter of fact. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Road Rat and that would be the band I would want to be in. And the location, between DC and Baltimore is an exceptional area.

 

[cann0nba11]

Andrew Layton (lead alto) and Mike Buckley (lead trombone) are both from North Texas. Andy is an awesome young player with a great tone and swing feel. Thats a great band.

 

[littlefeet]

The audition will be open to all, active duty, reserve and civilian. As for North Texas alum, we have 8 NT alum, 5 that played in the One O'clock. There are also four Berklee cats in the band.

And I prefer to think that the Note are a close second to the JAs. One thing is for sure, we perform and play together more than the Note, Commodores, Blues, Knights or Falconaires. And yes, we are the only ones who really tour. The once a year tours by the likes of the Note or Commodores are about two weeks.

 

[koteris]

Didn't they just audition for this a few months back?

Did they not find a suitable person, or did someone else leave?

Just curious.

 

[littlefeet]

This is a new opening. And as a side, there will be a bari opening coming up in the next year. There are three saxophonists here, including myself, that have been in a long time. One is retiring in March, that's the opening we just filled. I'll be retiring in Sep of next year. That's the slot we are auditioning for. There is some shuffling going on in the section and we are making this another tenor opening.

 

[jazzbluescat]

Is there an age limit?

[I'm only 64. ]

 

[Agent27]

Is there an age limit?

[I'm only 64. ]

I think the cutoff age is 41.

 

[gary]

I think the cutoff age is 41.

I believe, by law, they cannot take you unless you have the opportunity to stay in for 20 years and attain retirement. Unless it's been changed recently (or excepted for, i.e. 4 star generals), you cannot stay in beyond age 55. Therefore, the max age would be 35.

Sorry jazzbluecat you cain't sign up. No, not because of yer age. It's about them convictions over that 12 year old cusin of yers, and the moonshine running back in '67.

 

[jazzbluescat]

Durn it, gary. What if Ma gets wind of this?

 

[littlefeet]

I believe, by law, they cannot take you unless you have the opportunity to stay in for 20 years and attain retirement. Unless it's been changed recently (or excepted for, i.e. 4 star generals), you cannot stay in beyond age 55. Therefore, the max age would be 35.

Sorry jazzbluecat you cain't sign up. No, not because of yer age. It's about them convictions over that 12 year old cusin of yers, and the moonshine running back in '67.

You can join any time before your 42nd birthday. New Army age limits have a mandatory retirement at age 62 now, up from the previous 55.

 

[gary]

You can join any time before your 42nd birthday. New Army age limits have a mandatory retirement at age 62 now, up from the previous 55.

Wow. Gettin' desperate these days? Nothing like a war to boost enlistments, wot? LOL

 

[retread]

Among the 60-plus troops, Airborne is open only to personnel who do not need canes or walkers.

 

[littlefeet]

Info for screening CD/tape should be up on website now. www.jazzambassadors.com

Here's the scoop:

Example of Improvising on up-tempo tune 250 bpm or faster
Example of improvising on medium swing/trad/standard in swing style
Ballad feature
Piece of your choice

Above tracks should be 2 minutes or less except ballad

Flute and Clarinet:

1 minute example/excerpt on each instrument

 

[littlefeet]

By the way, we are currently on tour. (Oct 13 - Nov 16) Will be hitting WV, PA, OH, IN, IL, WI, MN, MI on this trip.

 

[Mark5047]

You guys are going to be in my home town of Medina, OH tonight! Crap - I have plans already..... I would have loved to come out and see you.

EDIT: I just re-read and saw it was the concert band that will be in Medina. You are in Willoughby on 11/14 - I will put that on the schedule! Best of luck on the tour!

 

[littlefeet]

Keep those audition tapes coming!

 

[selmer]

He forgot to mention that it's open to non military because it is for a tour of Iraq!