A quartet of local concerts will pay tribute to those who have served in the nation’s Armed Forces in honor of Veterans Day. The national holiday is Nov. 11, in honor of the armistice signed that day in 1918 that ended World War I, but is observed on Monday, Nov. 10.

The challenge for those wanting to musically salute our vets is that three of the four local concerts are at the exact same time: 3 p.m. Nov. 9. Perhaps location will determine where music fans go: The shows are nicely spread out around Central Florida, in Winter Park, Clermont and Sanford.

The fourth show, in Orlando, takes place Sunday evening at Timucua Arts Foundation.

Here are the details on the four performances.

A SALUTE IN SWING — JAZZ FROM THOSE WHO SERVED: 3 p.m. Nov. 9 at Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts, 460 N. England Ave. in Winter Park. This concert is performed by an ensemble made up entirely of former military musicians. On the program are big-band swing and soulful ballads. The Blue Bamboo says: “Their performance honors the rhythm of service and the spirit of freedom through the universal language of jazz.”

The concert is presented by the Central Florida Jazz Society, and tickets are $35 or $30 if you are a CFJS member. Those age 21 or younger pay $15. Go to bluebambooartcenter.com.

SALUTE TO AMERICAN VETERANS: 3 p.m. Nov. 9 at Clermont Performing Arts Center, 3700 S. Highway 27 in Clermont. Orlando Concert Band, a 75-member wind ensemble founded by Central Florida musicians in 1989, will play in honor of the vets. Expect to hear patriotic tunes from the great orchestral repertoire. Tickets are $20 at clermontperformingarts.com.

THE U.S. AIR FORCE BAND OF THE WEST: 3 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Ritz Theater, 201 Magnolia Ave. in Sanford. The United States Air Force Band of the West presents an evening with its jazz band to celebrate and honor the faithful service of our nation’s veterans, says the program description. U.S. Air Force bands are composed of professional active-duty musicians who perform more than 200 times each year.

The event will be a “toe-tapping evening of American classics, heartfelt ballads and smokin’ hot tunes,” according to the Ritz Theater website. And, best of all, the performance is free. However, note that the free tickets must be reserved ahead of time at ritztheatersanford.com (click on “get tickets” and look for the event title.) Also note that ticketholders must be seated at least 15 minutes prior to the concert because at that time, empty seats will be given to those waiting in a standby line.

Winter Park’s Blue Bamboo founder steps down amid health crisis

A PATRIOTIC SALUTE WITH VIVACITY FOR VETERANS DAY: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at Timucua Arts Foundation, 2000 S. Summerlin Ave. in Orlando. Xylophonist Heather Thorn and the Vivacity band open the program with music to honor those who have served America in this family-friendly musical stage show of songs from some of the nation’s most beloved artists, such as Glenn Miller and the Andrews Sisters.

Featuring characters inspired by the Golden Age of Radio, the show also offers audience interaction, authentic old-time radio commercials and more. Amy Parnell provides vocals and serves as the radio announcer. Vivacity members include Claude Kashnig, tuba; Ed Metz, drums; John Depaola, trumpet;  Dave Mackenzie, saxophone and flute; and Krissy Vavrek, vocals.

Tickets are $30 ($22.50 for teachers, military, seniors and students). And guests are invited to bring a bottle of wine or a non-alcoholic beverage to share. If you can’t make it to the event in person, $10 live-stream and video-on-demand tickets are also available at timucua.com.

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https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/10/29/veterans-day-concerts-central-florida/