The McLean Community Center’s Summer Sunday Concerts in the Park series concludes at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 27, with a special concert by The Grandsons.
The band originally was formed in 1986 with four graduates of McLean High School (MHS). All studied under James Kirchenbauer, who still runs the band program at the high school.
Alan MacEwen, who graduated in the MHS Class of 1984, sings, writes songs and plays guitar and trumpet.
Chris Watling, of MHS Class of 1985, plays saxophone and accordion. Two other original members, members of the Class of 1984, have since moved on.
Drummer and percussionist Matthew Sedgley joined the group in 1995, and bassist Steve Sachse joined in 1997.
The Grandsons’ music has been described as “American music in a blender with the lid off.” Their music shows influences from New Orleans rhythm and blues, rockabilly, swing and country two-steps.
The players have performed with Willie Nelson, Ray Charles and The Fabulous Thunderbirds. They recently marked their 17th anniversary with the release of their fourth CD, “The Grandsons: Live at the Barns,” recorded at Wolf Trap Park for the Performing Arts in Vienna.
The Grandsons have performed to sold-out shows at the Barns of Wolf Trap and have performed at the Kennedy Center. They gave their first overseas performances in 1999 when they played a three-week engagement in Taipei, Taiwan.
The Grandsons will perform at the McLean Central Park gazebo, located at Old Dominion Drive and Dolley Madison Boulevard (Route 123). Patrons can enter the park through the parking lots of Dolley Madison Library or the McLean Community Center.
For information about the Grandsons, visit www.grandsons.com
For information on the concert, call 703-790-0123 or visit www.mcleancenter.org