| Durham, North Carolina-based Stanley Baird Group, will bring their smooth jazz to troops stationed in Japan, Okinawa and Korea August 30- September 24. This will be the first tour with Armed Forces Entertainment for the jazz band.
“Performing for the troops is an honor. We only hope that we can uplift their spirits by bringing them a little bit of home with our music. No one deserves to be entertained more than these men and women that are so far away from home,” said bandleader Stanley Baird.
While having enjoyed playing with other bands throughout the years, Baird felt it was time to create his own band and play his own music. In 1991, the Stanley Baird group formed and has since then released six albums. Traffic Jam, their latest album has received rave reviews and international airplay.
Baird’s music is described as smooth jazz with R&B and Latin flavor infusion. With a Master’s degree in music education, Baird served as a band instructor in the public school systems in North Carolina and St. Croix, Virgin Islands. During his time on the Islands, Baird was exposed to the West Indian and Latin influence that is evident in his music.
“The troops really appreciate entertainers that show their enthusiasm for performing,” said Frank Tagatac, Armed Forces Entertainment circuit and regional manager for the Pacific and Caribbean. “The contemporary jazz sound of the Stanley Baird Group appeals to a wide audience and because these musicians are talented and seasoned performers they will definitely put on an outstanding show.”
Baird began playing the saxophone in junior high and has gone on to shared the stage with such musical greats as Otis Redding, Gladys Knight, Kirk Whalum, Patti LaBelle, Najee, Richard Elliott and Donald Byrd.
Because Baird believes the future of jazz music lies in the hands of rising instrumentalists and vocalists, he strongly advocates the exposure of music to underpriviledged youth. He has created the Stanley Baird Youth Jazz Foundation, which hosts an annual summer camp held in Raleigh and Durahm, North Carolina.
Baird is currently a part-time music instructor at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina.
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Armed Forces Entertainment is the lead Department of Defense agency for providing entertainment to U.S. military personnel serving overseas, with priority given to those in contingency operations and at remote and isolated locations. The Department of the Air Force is the executive agent of Armed Forces Entertainment.
Founded in 1951, Armed Forces Entertainment brings a touch of home to more than 500,000 troops annually, embracing the best of Americana that stretches across all genres of entertainment. Visit www.armedforcesentertainment.com for more information.
To learn more about The Stanley Baird Group, visit www.stanleybaird.com.
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