The Capital Messengers will perform on July 13

The Capital Messengers will swing into the limelight at 7 p.m. Monday, July 13, as the fifth installment in UNC Asheville's Concerts on the Quad summer music series. A unit of the 257th U.S. Army Band based in Washington, D.C., the Capital Messengers is a traditional jazz team directed by Sergeant Jamal Brown. The event is free and open to the public.

Performing the deepest roots of both the modern and traditional idiom, the Capital Messengers have earned their reputation as one of the best among military jazz groups in the nation. The team plays straight-ahead jazz, including hits by Duke Ellington, Art Blakey, Wayne Shorter and Freddie Hubbard. This ensemble is one of the most in-demand teams in the 257th, and is highly respected among the military and regional jazz community.
Concerts on the Quad is fun for the entire family. The public is invited to bring picnics, blankets and lawn chairs. Sorry, no pets allowed. With up to 2,000 people attending each concert, lawn-chair seating will be separate from blanket seating in order to preserve sight lines; please look for signage when arriving on the Quad.

In case of rain, the concerts will be held in Lipinsky Auditorium. Concert location decisions are made at 5 p.m. the day of the show. Patrons may call 828/251-6991 or 828/232-5000 extension 3 after 5:15 p.m. each Monday to hear a recorded announcement about the location of that evening's performance.

The final programs of the season will be held July 18-19. The 26th annual Folkmoot USA festival, the only ticketed event of the series, will feature folk dance and music from around the world. Tickets range from $25-$20 and are half-price for children under age 12. Tickets are available online at www.folkmootusa.org/ or call 877/FOLKUSA.

The 2009 Concerts on the Quad are presented in part with generous support from Biltmore Farms Hotels, Greenlife Grocery, Cherokee Preservation Foundation, Town and Mountain Realty, Musician's Workshop, Mast General Store, Smoky Mountain Living Magazine and WNC Tents.

For more information about Concerts on the Quad, call UNC Asheville's Cultural & Special Events Office at 828/251-6991 or click on www.unca.edu/summerquad.