US Air Force Band Delighted Audience Members on June 18

SEA ISLE CITY — June 18, the United States Air Force Heritage Ramblers Dixieland Band performed at the Excursion Park Band Shell in Sea Isle City – much to the delight of audience members, who were treated to an evening of New Orleans-style jazz provided by professional, military musicians.
According to Staff Sergeant James Lantz, who plays the trumpet and sings in the band, the free concert in Sea Isle City was part of a 7-day Community Outreach Tour. “New Jersey is part of our newly acquired territory for touring,” said the Staff Sergeant.
Based at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia and comprised entirely of active duty members of the USAF, the Heritage Ramblers (an arm of the USAF’s Heritage of America Band) had audience members tapping their toes and clapping their hands as they performed familiar songs such as “Sweet Georgia Brown” and other jazz favorites.
At the end of the concert, many audience members hurried to the stage to shake the hands of each of the six musicians who make-up The Heritage Ramblers, including Staff Sergeant Lantz, who is from Sykesville, Maryland; Master Sergeant Jenn Dashnaw, of Peekskill, New York, who wowed audience members with her clarinet and singing voice; Master Sergeant Matt Dunsmore, of Virginia Beach, who stood strong while expertly playing the tuba; Tech Sergeant John Garcia, of Lerona, West Virginia, who delighted the audience with his trombone and vocal skills; Staff Sergeant Darren Raybourne, from Lancaster, Ohio, who never missed a beat on the drums – even while singing; and Staff Sergeant Robert Barnes, of Atlanta, Georgia, who skillfully “tickled the ivories” on his piano.
“It was great to be New Jersey – which is a new territory for us – and to build new partnerships there,” said Staff Sergeant Garcia, who is the band’s manager and NCOIC (non commissioned officer in charge). “The squadron (Heritage of America Band) has several different ensembles, and our mission is to honor those who have come before us and hopefully inspire others, through patriotism, who come after.”
Prior to the concert, the band enjoyed a full-course dinner at Basilico’s Restaurant in Sea Isle City, which was provided courtesy of Basilico’s and the Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce and Revitalization.
“It certainly was an honor to play songs from the American Song Book for the wonderful town of Sea Isle City, where they clearly have tremendous support for the military,” said Staff Sergeant Lantz. “We were extremely honored to perform for them – and to thank them for their support.”
To learn more about the Air Force’s Heritage of America Band, visit http://www.heritageofamericaband.af.mil/ensembles/BandEnsembleBio.asp?EnsembleID=249. For information about other events taking place in Sea Isle City, visit www.VisitSICNJ.com or phone (609) 263-8687.