Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) is proud to host the U.S. Army Field Band Jazz Ambassadors with a free public concert Nov. 17.

The Army’s premier touring big band travels thousands of miles each year to present jazz to enthusiastic audiences across the country and around the world – Canada, Mexico, Japan, India and Europe. They also have held joint concerts with the likes of the Boston Pops and Pittsburgh Symphony.

As a component of Army Field Band based in Washington, D.C., the 19-piece ensemble is charged with sharing the proud story of men and women in service to the nation. They do so through some of the most versatile programming of any big band. Concerts include classic big band standards, instrumental and vocal solo features, patriotic favorites, contemporary jazz works and original arrangements, as well as compositions by past and present members of the Jazz Ambassadors.

The musicians visiting Oklahoma City represent more than 187,000 soldiers deployed or stationed in over 140 countries, said Maj. Gen. Omar J. Jones IV in a letter to patrons. “They are the sons and daughters of America, and they do their jobs in an increasingly uncertain world.â€

To reserve tickets call the OCCC Box Office at (405) 682-7579. The Box Office is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Tickets for the performance are free, and can be reserved at the door the day of the performance. Doors and concessions will open one hour before the 3 p.m. show time. The OCCC Visual and Performing Arts Center is located at 7777 S. May Ave., Oklahoma City.