Local jazz bands, 399th Army ensemble to perform Sunday in Osage Beach

The Osage High School Jazz Band, seen here, Eldon High School Jazz Band and 399th Fort Leonard Wood Army Jazz Band ensemble will perform Sunday, Jan. 22 to kick off the Ozark Jazz Society 2017 concert series.
The Osage High School Jazz Band, seen here, Eldon High School Jazz Band and 399th Fort Leonard Wood Army Jazz Band ensemble will perform Sunday, Jan. 22 to kick off the Ozark Jazz Society 2017 concert series.

The Ozark Jazz Society presents its first 2017 concert Sunday, featuring two high school jazz bands and the 399th Fort Leonard Wood Army Jazz Band ensemble at Inn at the Grand Glaize in Osage Beach.

With "packed houses" for its free concerts featuring the three groups the last two years, the society anticipates another highly attended event where the School of the Osage High School Jazz Band, Eldon High School Jazz Band and Fort Leonard Wood jazz ensemble will again perform.

It is the sixth year the Ozark Jazz Society has offered a multiple-group performance. The nonprofit organization presents 11 annual concerts at the Lake of the Ozarks, featuring some of the leading jazz, Dixieland and ragtime artists on the current music circuit.

"We usually bring top jazz bands from all over the U.S. to Lake of the Ozarks to perform during our yearlong concert series," Jack Schaumburg, Ozark Jazz Society president, said. "This is one night we sponsor the youth in the jazz world."

As a nice addition to the local showcase, the society asked the Fort Leonard Wood ensemble to return for this kick-off concert.

A couple of Ozark Jazz Society members attended the 2014 Lake of the Ozarks Air Show and heard the Army jazz band perform. Schaumburg said those members asked the ensemble how much they charge to perform at a society event, and the group said they play for nothing and can't charge admission.

Arrangements were made for them to play, and for the last two years - as well as Sunday's performance - the ensemble has made this special performance a free event for everyone in attendance.

The two high school jazz bands will perform first, beginning at 6:30 p.m., with the Army jazz band rounding out the event.

Schaumburg said the Ozark Jazz Society offsets the costs of the concert and makes contributions to both high school bands.

An optional buffet, which includes entrée, dessert, iced tea and coffee, will be served at 5 p.m. before Sunday's concert. A cash bar is available from 4:30-9 p.m. Cost for the buffet is $15 per person. Reservations are required for the buffet only by calling Connie at 573-348-4731 and leaving name and number of reservations.

No reservations are needed for the concert, and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

For additional information about the Ozark Jazz Society, call 573-365-3411 or visit lakeozarkjazz.org.