Shannon Gunn and the Bullettes Set to Perform for Women in Jazz Scholarship Concert

The newly formed all-women jazz orchestra Shannon Gunn and the Bullettes will have their debut performance this weekend at the Annandale campus of on Sunday, June 26 at 4 p.m. in the Richard J. Ernst Community Cultural Center.

“It’s a traditional big band, playing swing music mostly or what they call straight ahead jazz,” said band leader and manager Shannon Gunn. “A lot of the music we'll be playing together is written by women in the band.”

The 15-member band was created last October and most of the women are based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area with the exception of one who is from New York. Gunn recently completed her master’s degree in Jazz Studies at George Mason University and has been playing in the area for the last three to four years.

Some of the musicians who will perform on Sunday with Gunn include Leigh Pilzer on alto saxophone, Jen Krupa on trombone, Amy Shook on bass, Amy Bormet on piano and Lena Seikely on vocals.

After the group was formed, Gunn created a Kickstarter website and raised $1,500 that helped the group produce a 5-song EP to help increase their exposure. [Hear a preview of their music on the band’s website]. Then in January, Gunn said she received a call from Reunion Music Society inviting them to be a part of the annual Women in Jazz concerts after listening to their CD. The concerts are held as part of a partnership between NOVA-Annandale’s music program and the Reunion Music Society.

“Shannon Gunn and her ensemble are an important group in our local jazz community. The ability of the College’s music program to support this talent speaks to our role as a vital contributor to the cultural and artistic life of Northern Virginia,” said Calvin Haney, student life coordinator for NOVA’s Annandale Campus in a press release.

Tickets for the concert are $15 for general admission, $10 for seniors and $7 for students with ID. You can buy tickets at the door or online at http://bullettesjazz.com or http://instantseats.com. A portion of the proceeds from this performance will go toward NOVA’s Annandale Campus Women in Jazz Scholarship.

“I’m looking forward to seeing everyone that comes out and getting to play with such fantastic musicians,” said Gunn. “It should be a lot of fun.”