United States Air Force Airmen of Note trumpeter Timothy Leahey will join The University of Southern Mississippi Jazz Lab Band I in concert at 7:30 p.m. April 24 at the Mannoni Performing Arts Center on the Hattiesburg Campus. 

The band, having just returned for another appearance at the University of North Texas Jazz Festival, will be under the direction of guest conductor Bruce Tychinski, assistant professor of trombone at Southern Miss. They will perform selections by composers Jack Cooper, Glen Miller, Charlie Parker and Phil Collins, to name a few. 

In addition, Jazz Lab Band II will perform under the direction of Beto Vianna of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Larry Panella, director of Jazz Studies at Southern Miss, describes the USAF Airmen of Note as “one of the premier big bands in the world.”  They, along with the Army Jazz Ambassadors, The Army Blues and The Navy Commodores, are among the last remaining touring jazz big bands in the world.

“It is a rare treat to have one of their members join us as a soloist,” Panella said, “and we look forward to this performance.”

Senior Master Sergeant Leahey is a jazz trumpeter for the Airmen of Note, based out of Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C. Originally from Altoona, Penn., his Air Force career began in 1993.

A graduate of Youngstown State University, Sgt. Leahey earned a Bachelor of Music in trumpet performance in 1991. While at Youngstown State, he won the International Trumpet Guild Jazz Improvisation Competition and was named the All Ohio Collegiate Musician of the Year.

He has worked professionally with jazz greats Rosemary Clooney, John Oddo, Cecil Payne, the Brecker Brothers, Ernie Watts and Nick Brignola.

Sgt. Leahey's military awards and decorations include the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with three oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Southern Miss Jazz Station at 601.266.4047; visit the Web at www.usm.edu/music; or contact Angela Kilcrease at 601.266.4988.
 
About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi, founded in 1910, is a comprehensive doctoral and research-extensive university fulfilling its mission of being a leading university in engaging and empowering individuals to transform lives and communities. In a tradition of leadership for student development, Southern Miss is educating a 21st century work force providing intellectual capital, cultural enrichment and innovation to Mississippi and the world. Southern Miss is located in Hattiesburg, Miss, with an additional campus and teaching and research sites on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; further information is found at www.usm.edu.