A 19-member Army big band will play a free jazz concert at Livingston High School on Monday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m.

The United States Army Field Band's Jazz Ambassadors are stopping in Livingston as part of a national tour that brings free performances to communities across the country, Livingston Patch reported. The show takes place at the school's Fitness and Wellness Center, 30 Robert H. Harp Drive.

The Washington, D.C.-based ensemble, known as "America's Big Band," was formed in 1969 and serves as the Army's premier jazz group, according to the Army Field Band's website. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Brian Dorgan leads the group as bandmaster.

The Jazz Ambassadors have performed in all 50 states and in Canada, Mexico, Japan, India and throughout Europe. The band has appeared alongside the Boston Pops and the National Symphony Orchestra, and performed joint concerts with the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, according to New Jersey Stage.

Jazz artists Gordon Goodwin, Bobby Shew, Ernie Watts and the Dave Brubeck All-Star Quintet have all shared the stage with the ensemble. Past appearances include the Toronto Jazz Festival, the Kennedy Center Honors and a spot on the Colbert Report.

The group's repertoire spans big band swing, bebop, Latin, contemporary jazz, Dixieland, vocals, patriotic tunes and original compositions written or arranged by band members. Many of those arrangements are available through the group's jazz education program, Perspectives.

The concert is free and open to the public. The Patch report did not list a ticket or reservation requirement for the Livingston show.

The Jazz Ambassadors also perform at the Scottish Rite Auditorium in Collingswood on Friday, Oct. 23, at 7:30 p.m. That show is free but requires advance ticket reservations through Eventbrite.

Upcoming community events:

  • Thursday, Oct. 22: Livingston Library BookFEST brings 15,000 books to the Livingston Public Library.
  • Monday, Oct. 26: U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors free concert, 7 p.m., Livingston High School Fitness and Wellness Center, 30 Robert H. Harp Drive.