Ladies Must Swing
Salutes
the Tuskegee Airmen
Madison's swingin' sweethearts were honored
to play for the celebration honoring the Tuskegee Airmen
and the grand re-opening of Moton Field, Tuskegee, AL
See a bit of our Tuskegee Town Square performance on YouTube (thank you, Leon)!
Ladies Must Swing in Tuskegee Town Square - Oct 10 2008
Here's a lovely article that really outlines the weekend:
Article from the Montgomery Advertiser
Check out the SRO Artists link on the Home page for more pictures and information
And scroll down for more pics and notes from band members...
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It was an honor and a pleasure to go to Tuskegee and perform for some of America's greatest heroes. Learning more about the significance of the Airmen's contribution to the unity that makes our country great made playing music that recalled their days of glory feel like even more of a privilege than usual. Nicky Sund, Drummer
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It was a wonderful experience to play for the Tuskegee Airmen on Saturday night. They were so appreciative to have us there. I had a gentleman come up to me and ask if we were going to play any Ellington; and I said that our next tune is an Ellington tune. He commented he was glad and that he and Duke were good friends! I also had an Airmen who was so happy we played " In a Sentimental Mood"...he kept telling me it was his most favorite song and that it brought back so many memories for him! What a great trip! Renee Reindl, Tenor Sax |
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The entire trip was a blast! The highlight for me was during the cocktail party when one of the original airmen heard us start In the Mood. He threw down his cane and danced his heart out! It was also thrilling to hear from Kevin, the Tuskegee radio DJ about how the listeners called him the next day to tell him how much they enjoyed our concert! I hope we can hold everyone down there to their promise to bring us back! Cory Kurzynski, Trombone |
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What a thrill to be part of history! The audience was
our best ever and we're still on "cloud nine" and pinching ourselves that we
were chosen to honor the Tuskegee Airmen. One of the Airmen remarked that
we sounded like the International Sweethearts of Rhythm.
It delighted me to know that he remembered that fine black ladies band from
over 60 years ago. Swing Shift by Sherrie Tucker is the book to
read about the trials and successes of the all-girl bands of the 40s. None
of those bands who traveled had the wonderful food and lodging that the Tuskegee
Airmen extended to us. Judy Harrington, Trumpet and Tuskegee Trip Coordinator |
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Stars fell on Tuskegee , Alabama while "Ladies Must Swing" serenaded the Tuskegee Airmen this past October 10,11 and 12 of 2008. Eighteen ladies travelled by bus to participate in the great honor of saluting the accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen who trained at Moton Field from 1939-1946. We were there in the spirit of the all-girl bands (Prairie View Coeds and others) that entertained at Moton Field during the war years as well as the spirit of Eleanor Roosevelt who was greatly responsible for recognizing the abilities of the African American pilots. On Oct 10 we played a program at Moton Field National Historic Site as part of the grand reopening of the Airfield and dedication of the museum, then played in the Town Square of the City of Tuskegee, and then the reception at the Grand Gala the next evening. We have had an incredible history lesson firsthand and are so grateful to have been a part of this long overdue tribute to the men and women known as the Tuskegee Airmen and their outstanding service to America! June Dalton, Alto Sax and Band Leader |
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| Being selected to play for the Tuskegee
Airmen was a very humbling experience. The hospitality and gratitude that
was shown to the whole band made us feel very welcome and accepted as we
performed throughout the weekend. I'll admit I was nervous before we started
playing (because really, how could a group of women from Wisconsin compare
to the jazz legends that were born in the south!), but after seeing and
hearing the audience's reactions, it was clear that they wanted to hear us
as much as we wanted to play for them. I am thankful for being included in
this event and am proud to be part of such a historic occasion. Stefanie Ehle, Trumpet |
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| As each event unfolded, our involvement
in this momentous weekend became more and more profoundly memorable.
Not without any trip's sacrifices and joys, this group of white chicks (age
20-70) from
Wisconsin left our state for a musical adventure that turned out to be a
life-changing experience. We were suddenly immersed in multiple major
American history lessons concurrent with a celebration of African American
military heroes, their families, their stories and their historic landscape.
All the enlisted and retired service men and women present were handsome and
honorable, the park service and event employees and hosts sincere and
helpful, and the residents of Tuskegee and Montgomery warm and welcoming.
It was chock full of good stuff amidst many bittersweet reminders.
Palpable, joyous and now, all the more poignant given the more recent
electoral wake
of the Change To Come. Special thanks to our special hosts, and the
lovely audience at the "Music Under the Stars" celebration in Tuskegee
Square who couldn't have exemplified "southern hospitality" any more
sincerely. Marilyn Fisher, Vocals & Percussion |
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It was so exciting to be there for the grand opening of the Moton Field Museum and the ceremony that honored our military heroes. I am so glad the Tuskegee Airmen are finally getting the recognition they deserve; they fought hard for our country in WWII and deserve the utmost appreciation from all Americans and our Allies. The trip was a great experience and an emotional rollercoaster the whole way! –bringing back memories through music was the greatest joy I experienced. Thank you, Tuskegee, for being such a wonderful city and for providing such a warm welcome! Amy Kerwin, Trombone |
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