Legend of the Red Tails

Description

Matthew R. Putnam brings us an homage to the storied Tuskegee Airman with “Legend of the Red Tails.” A march in traditional form, this one is a perfect addition to any concert program or festival evaluation.

Program Notes

In the 1940s, as World War II raged, an elite military aviation group was born, the Tuskegee Airmen. This was the first group of African-American military pilots in the United States’ history. Due to the discriminatory segregation laws in place at the time, Black men had to fight to be accepted into the US military, and it was particularly difficult for them to become pilots. The Tuskegee Airmen faced rigorous testing and scrutiny in order to become fighter and bomber pilots, resulting in them becoming known as an elite group within the military. They came to be referred to by their nickname, the “Red Tails,” due to how they painted their aircraft with bright red tails. The Tuskegee Airmen were instrumental not only in helping the Allies win World War II, but also in blazing a trail for equality for African-Americans in the United States. This high-flying classic-sounding march is dedicated to the Tuskegee Airmen as a celebration of their bravery and excellence.