If you went to the Albion Strawberry Festival Parade this past Saturday – June 14th – you likely saw a really cool brass band called The Hit Men. This band comes from Rochester every year to entertain the festival crowd with their jazzy sound and gangster look. While watching them perform in the food court after the parade, we discovered a strong tie they have with Albion High School. The leader dedicated their performance to Wayne Burlison, beloved Assistant Marching Band Director who lost his fight with colon cancer on March 26th – Wayne was a long time member of The Hit Men band! He also introduced two Albion HS graduates who are currently members of the band – Travis Klossner and David Hollenbeck.

Travis Klossner, Class of 2008, plays the trumpet (left)

David Hollenbeck, Class of 2008, plays the tuba (right)

If you ever have an opportunity to see The Hit Men perform, be sure to say “hi” to Travis and David and let them know how proud we all are of them for continuing to use their musical talents beyond high school. Great job, guys!

The Hit Men stroll along Main Street entertaining the crowd waiting for the parade to begin

Here are three YouTube clips of the Hit Men performing. The first video was filmed at the 2014 Strawberry Festival where David and Travis are two of the three featured performers at the beginning and again at the end – David is in the center with the tuba and Travis is on the right with the trumpet:

[youtube=http://youtu.be/bXGhJfBaJQ0]

[youtube=http://youtu.be/uOrg0zci3v8]

[youtube=http://youtu.be/4U-eg5M5pOE]

Posted by Kim Wright Pritt

Photos courtesy of Kim Wright Pritt