West Point – The West Point Band’s annual Alumni Concert will take place on Sunday, June 28 at 6:30 p.m. at Trophy Point Amphitheatre. With performances from the Jazz Knights and alumni, plus the reunion of the Nite Riders rock band, it promises to be an intriguing evening.
The Nite Riders will take the stage for the first time since 1968. The group was appointed in 1966 to perform at official cadet functions and occupies a unique niche in West Point history. Specialist 5 Tommy Sullivan, a Field Music piccolo player, organized the group. It was a combination of his friends recently drafted into the Army and current members of the West Point Band. Sullivan’s fiancée at the time, Carolyn Wood, served as the group’s vocalist. After leaving the Army, Sullivan and Nite Riders drummer Jim Walker, along with Wood, helped form the group Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge. The group produced gold records and appeared on major television shows and at world-famous venues. Sullivan later went on to help form Ramatam with Jimi Hendrix’s drummer Mitch Mitchell, later replaced by Walker.
A host of Jazz Knights alumni spanning the decades will join the Jazz Knights on stage to perform pieces arranged by former Jazz Knights members. The Grainger Suite, written by former Jazz Knights guitarist James Chirillo and part of the 2002 West Point Bicentennial CD will feature another guitarist, Master Sgt. (R) Rob Helsel and trombonist Master Sgt. (R) Douglas Remine. The Borg Suite, written by alto saxophonist Sgt. Major (R) Jim Perry, will feature tenor saxophonist Master Sgt. (R) Bryson Borgstedt. Also featured is the bebop standard Hot House, arranged by Dr. Jack Cooper, former Jazz Knights saxophonist and current associate professor of music at the University of Memphis. Vince Corozine’s arrangement of Billy Joel’s New York State of Mind rounds out the alumni arrangements.
Please allow extra travel time for the 100% vehicle and photo I.D. inspection at Stony Lonesome and Thayer gates. Due to changing security requirements at West Point, call the Academy Band’s hotline at 845-938-2617, or check www.westpoint.edu/special before leaving for the concert.
