‘War Bonds’ show is musical journey through WWII

The production is sponsored by Mike Deas of Augusta Amusements Inc., who has a deep interest in big-band, blues and jazz music.

The show features the husband-and-wife team of David zum Brunnen and
Serena Ebhardt. The vocalists will be accompanied by their pianist and
four musicians from the Augusta Amusements Big Band, Deas said.

Joining the Big Band will be Augusta native and internationally acclaimed trombonist Wycliffe Gordon.

The Butler High School graduate worked with Grammy-winning trumpeter
Wynton Marsalis for more than a decade. Gordon is widely considered the
world’s premier jazz trombonist.

“I’m really looking forward to this,” said Gordon, noting that
trombonist Glenn Miller was all the rage during World War II. “It’s an
honor, and this provides another opportunity to perform at home.”

Gordon teaches at the Manhattan School of Music in New York.

“The production is a musical journey through a war that redefined the world,” Deas said.

“We’ll provide a multimedia living history cabaret that’s
interspersed with personal letters from the front and headline news of
the period. The production is a warm reminiscence and a harrowing
reminder of a time that is not unlike the present,” he said.

Deas said the audience should look for colorful skit changes,
personal letters and music from the 1940s big band era. Guests are
encouraged to wear 1940s attire.

In the past year, Deas has also produced shows featuring jazz
guitarist Earl Klugh, blues guitarist Keb Mo and the Artie Shaw and
Glenn Miller Big Bands.

War Bonds: The Songs and Letters of World War II will be
held at The Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center inside the
Columbia County Library, 7022 Evans Towne Center Blvd., in Evans.
Tickets are $35. For more information, call Augusta Amusements at (706)
726-0366 or visit augustaamusements.com.