Jazz Knights open summer concert series with a ‘Hello and Goodbye'

West Point — The United States Military Academy Band’s Jazz Knights will open their summer series with a concert titled “Hello and Goodbye,” to be given at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 17, at the scenic Trophy Point Amphitheatre. The concert’s title comes from Bob Brookmeyer’s landmark “Hello and Goodbye,” which the band will perform. The title also marks officer-in-charge Douglas Hammond’s last concert with the Jazz Knights and Matthew Morse’s first. The Jazz Knights will miss Douglas Hammond and wish him well on his next assignment. The concert will feature jazz classics, contemporary works, and two premieres. On the program is Bill Holman’s reworking of “Take The A-Train,” transcribed by Morse. Vocalist Sgt. 1st Class Laura Bradley will be featured on Frank Foster’s arrangement of “I Loves You Porgy,” from the George Gershwin opera “Porgy and Bess.” The arrangements of Michael Abene, musical director of the WDR Radio Big Band in Cologne, Germany, will provide a modern contrast. Among several featured performances will be Staff Sgt. Mike Reifenberg’s soprano saxophone on the bossa nova “Estate” and Staff Sgt. Derrick James’s alto saxophone on “The Sweeper,” a spry number based on Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm.” For security requirements and concert information, call the Academy Band’s 24-hour hotline at 938-2617 or log on to www.usma.edu/special or www.usma.edu/band.