Event to be broadcast live over the Internet

AUSTIN, Texas, January 13, 2009 —The Austin Community College Jazz Ensemble will be in Washington, D.C., January 20, to perform on Inauguration Night.

“This has got to be the party of the century,” says Artistic Director Tom Husak. “The band is amped up, and I’ve never heard them play as well as they have.”

ACC performs at the LINK-live Presidential Inaugural Gala 2009, scheduled for 6-11 p.m. Central Time in the Corcoran Gallery of Art. The nonpartisan event is hosted by nonprofit organizations promoting technology and education. Entertainment for the evening will feature ACC’s 20-piece band and four national and internationally recognized singers (Marvin Crowe, Dayne Otto, Denise Stewart, and Rob Wilmot). In addition, special guest Andrew Heller and Big Band Music of the Americas will join the band. ACC is the only community college band invited to perform, according to Husak.

In its 25-year history, the ACC Jazz Ensemble has gained international recognition as one of the leading community college big bands and show revues. “We have an incredible support system for the band, and this came about through their efforts,” Husak says. “Word got out that we are the ‘swingingest’ college band in the country.”

“People are often surprised to learn that even though Austin Community College is the number one Central Texas provider of nurses, allied health care, and instant responders, we are also one of the best educational facilities for students interested in studying the arts, such as literature, dance, and/or music,” says Linda Young, ACC special assistant to the president for external affairs.

Throughout the evening, the LINK-live network at www.linklive.org will broadcast live video streaming from the Corcoran gala and celebrations around the globe.

“The world will see some of the finest players and singers in the country,” Husak promises. “Audiences in Washington, D.C., and beyond should be prepared for a heart-pounding, visceral-shaking, pop-up-riddled, high-energy, one-of-a-kind, movin’-groovin’, jumpin’, screamin’, foot-stompin’, incredible musical experience.”

In addition to the gala, the ACC Jazz Ensemble will perform at Howard University as part of the institution’s inauguration activities. That performance is 3:30-5 p.m. January 19.

The ACC Jazz Ensemble is fund-raising to pay for their trip to Washington. For information, contact Linda Young at [email protected].

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About the Austin Community College District (austincc.edu):
ACC, Central Texas’ community college, is the primary gateway to higher education and career training for residents in eight counties. The college provides access to affordable, quality education. ACC enrolls more than 35,700 credit students, offering university transfer courses, two-year associate degrees, certificates, Early College Start, access programs that get students “college-ready,” and continuing education. At ACC you can “Start here. Get there.”