tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63867611679498881972024-02-19T20:53:49.549-05:00U.S. Navy Band BlogThe latest news and articles about the Navy Band, written by members of the Navy Band.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259165203661334640noreply@blogger.comBlogger195125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386761167949888197.post-6776596745772498842012-11-15T16:36:00.004-05:002012-11-15T16:37:20.575-05:00A little George Michael with your big band jazz?<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">by Musician 1st Class Scott Shepherd</span></i> <br />
Being one of the tour managers for the Commodores has its benefits. Once I found out that the band was going to be in North Carolina, I immediately got on the phone and called Dr. Jay Jackson, Associate Dean of Music at Appalachian State University (ASU) and booked the band for this years tour. I graduated from ASU back in 1995, and have not been back since 1999. It had been to long, and I needed get back to Boone and I wanted to bring the best big band in the country with me.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7P2R-7HqeLCnKatABu48VTssUTHoniLxarxrVZY4zgkw_yavCH0zOGUkex8ONjogAtbhfrm8_IEzYSPfynMRrNm4LguKJ-ckQltXkwX_XzZ3Y_MyS85ygbghFcZSV2S4EfpOsINMWX1cv/s1600/photo+3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7P2R-7HqeLCnKatABu48VTssUTHoniLxarxrVZY4zgkw_yavCH0zOGUkex8ONjogAtbhfrm8_IEzYSPfynMRrNm4LguKJ-ckQltXkwX_XzZ3Y_MyS85ygbghFcZSV2S4EfpOsINMWX1cv/s200/photo+3.jpeg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Commodores with Watauga High<br />
School jazz students</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It was a surreal feeling driving back up 421 as it had changed so much since my last time driving up the mountain, but yet there was just enough that looked the same that it brought back many great memories. <br />
<br />
The band was not able to play in ASU due to the auditorium being renovated, but we were given the opportunity to play at Watauga High School thanks to the band director Tim Walker. <br />
<br />
The band did a clinic for Watauga High School’s Jazz band before the show. The students picked two tunes for the Commodores to sight read, then a few of the students got to sit in with the band. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPkw6JRGvw6D73jwb31aV1WmGCmwbQI0BvIfdzYIEw_3QvovO7onZZ8whzaoY4vR9Y5-BmKJ08_z0654PQDrHo6nHVq9bhfwEQ3WciT4mGnC9732rD1D9ALgQB_5WLVvtZ0yQ006yrk59/s1600/photo+1-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPkw6JRGvw6D73jwb31aV1WmGCmwbQI0BvIfdzYIEw_3QvovO7onZZ8whzaoY4vR9Y5-BmKJ08_z0654PQDrHo6nHVq9bhfwEQ3WciT4mGnC9732rD1D9ALgQB_5WLVvtZ0yQ006yrk59/s200/photo+1-1.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Dr. Jay Jackson, myself, <br />
& Dr. Harold McKinney</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Several of my old teachers came to the show including the head of Jazz Studies at ASU, Todd Wright. Mr. Wright was able to sit in and play a tune with the band. I was most excited when I saw my old trombone teacher Dr. Harold McKinney walk into the auditorium. He was the teacher that got me the most excited about music. Thanks to him and many hours of practicing I was able to pass the Navy audition and join the Navy Music Program. So, if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be where I am today!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMzoEQDuP8a-iaT8RsnoRI-zlNoKMCEfNi2s2RPk903EZrs0u1ff-vPa7P74hwRQYnJODVm3vyRpS6cB-Lr8CUHAD60NW4A7QbIAJjc-y8cN2euDCIBBIwRtMwjOgnp831DGDUwAvp3ce/s1600/photo+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMzoEQDuP8a-iaT8RsnoRI-zlNoKMCEfNi2s2RPk903EZrs0u1ff-vPa7P74hwRQYnJODVm3vyRpS6cB-Lr8CUHAD60NW4A7QbIAJjc-y8cN2euDCIBBIwRtMwjOgnp831DGDUwAvp3ce/s200/photo+2.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Prof. Todd Wright</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The band’s last show was incredible. <a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/hernandez_luis.shtml" target="_blank">Chief Musician Luis Hernandez</a> quoted the infamous saxophone melody from George Michael's tune "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDKn5BGTGMM" target="_blank">Careless Whisper</a>". This little quote ended up in almost everyone’s solo the rest of the night, including Todd Wright’s! <br />
<br />
It was a great night and a great way to end the tour! Hope to bring the band back in five more years! <br />
<div class="author_info"><h3>About the Author</h3><a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/shepherd_scott.shtml" target="_blank"><b>Musician 1st Class Scott Shepherd</b></a>is a native of Concord N.C. and holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Appalachian State University. He entered the Navy in 1995 as a trombonist and served at Navy Band Mid-South, the Pacific Fleet Band and the Navy Band Southeast before joining the United States Navy Band, Washington D.C. in 2007. Petty Officer Shepherd serves as the tour manager for the Commodores and is also the property responsible officer for the electronics department.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259165203661334640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386761167949888197.post-75004853340070353932012-11-13T20:59:00.003-05:002012-11-14T16:51:06.943-05:00Homeward Bound<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">by MU1 Jon Barnes</span></i><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHD7lahOoEblawu3FmPiEry2ZWe21svg2uKcw3TZVbxbR5S4GvrGhnU9cOP1E8DG7kt7IDmJwVh94ROLOTQW_GGjhJ-zZEgdDprtuOIKN2LmhYkPShw4TLPbhJ-b8F3IlLhtFVmkeoGbJ/s1600/barnes_j_mu1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHD7lahOoEblawu3FmPiEry2ZWe21svg2uKcw3TZVbxbR5S4GvrGhnU9cOP1E8DG7kt7IDmJwVh94ROLOTQW_GGjhJ-zZEgdDprtuOIKN2LmhYkPShw4TLPbhJ-b8F3IlLhtFVmkeoGbJ/s200/barnes_j_mu1.jpg" width="142" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MU1 Jon Barnes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<!--StartFragment--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Our concert yesterday morning was at the North
Carolina Music Educators Association Conference (NCMEA) in Winston-Salem, NC. An
enthusiastic audience comprised of music educators, students, and community
members greeted us. Performing for this type of audience is a joy, especially
since my favorite aspect of tour is the opportunity to work with music
students.</span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HqGjBlX8RFcSqfam-5HzdQMr1G5eAh6_FRWkSNc7tHuBZ5_QM5j7rBUMqHUaTqccnl9cyFAa_kb2pXJZjlFkIAMDNKhMVgRb5zGcPRc5d3EOPXXgcsfYxRypT7F5JK-YlTLAqDkIhXrr/s1600/image+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HqGjBlX8RFcSqfam-5HzdQMr1G5eAh6_FRWkSNc7tHuBZ5_QM5j7rBUMqHUaTqccnl9cyFAa_kb2pXJZjlFkIAMDNKhMVgRb5zGcPRc5d3EOPXXgcsfYxRypT7F5JK-YlTLAqDkIhXrr/s200/image+%25281%2529.jpeg" title="Senior Chief Musician Matthew J. Neff,Bass Trombone/Tour Operations Chief" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MUCS Matthew Neff</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Over the course of the tour, the band conducted
several clinics and I enjoyed meeting many young trumpet players. Sharing my
love of this music is the best part of the job. Yesterday afternoon, our trombone
section was able to share their combined knowledge and experience with a large
group of about 350 NCMEA conference attendees. They demonstrated section
playing and improvisational techniques, as well as approaches to teaching
younger trombone students.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
<span style="background: white;">Now with my first Commodores tour almost under
my belt (I'm the newest member of the band), I look forward to next year and
another opportunity to share music across this great country!</span></span><!--EndFragment-->
<br />
<div class="author_info">
<h3>
About the Author</h3>
<a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/barnes_jonathan.shtml" target="_blank"><b>MU1 Jon Barnes</b></a> <span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">is a native of the Baltimore area and joined the Navy Band in 2012. After earning a Bachelor of Music in jazz studies from Rowan University, he went on to study with Jon Faddis and Scott Wendholt at Manhattan School of Music, where he earned a Master of Music in jazz performanc<span style="font-size: x-small;">e.</span></span></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259165203661334640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386761167949888197.post-45556413263794284602012-11-13T20:37:00.000-05:002012-11-13T20:38:18.993-05:00What An Honor!<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">by MU1 William Dunn</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2nOJ-nP1z8kNqcYTp7PRwxCdHf_FoTXml5q7Z7EwI3DvzYiRUXo7mBq-aL6W0xPAYXx0on_rYIQ4txxE3_v1D36ER4K6fDiUdBoPaz6BxE_HkGmG0qx4GN4RlOBWNOq1h8SJgjmS_Frn/s1600/dunn_w_mu1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2nOJ-nP1z8kNqcYTp7PRwxCdHf_FoTXml5q7Z7EwI3DvzYiRUXo7mBq-aL6W0xPAYXx0on_rYIQ4txxE3_v1D36ER4K6fDiUdBoPaz6BxE_HkGmG0qx4GN4RlOBWNOq1h8SJgjmS_Frn/s200/dunn_w_mu1.jpg" width="142" /></a><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As a member of the US Navy
Concert/Ceremonial Band trumpet section it can be difficult to align schedules
to get to attend other performing units' concerts. There isn’t a better way to
hear the Commodores than to go on tour with them! It has been an enormous honor
substituting in the trumpet section for the Commodores 2012 Tour. Just amazing!
Performing on Veterans Day with my fellow shipmates will be a memory I will
cherish forever.</span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></i><br />
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<div class="author_info">
<h3>
About the Author</h3>
<a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/dunn_william.shtml" target="_blank"><b>MU1 William Dunn</b></a> <span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">is <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">a native of Canton, Ohio and joined the Navy Band in 2006. Prior to the Cruisers, Dunn was a member of United States Military Academy Band at West Point. He earned a Bachelor of Music from The Ohio State University in trumpet performance and a Master of Music in trumpet performance from the Manhattan School of Music, studying classical trumpet with Vincent Penzarella, jazz trumpet with Byron Stripling, improvisation with Garry Dial, Afro-Cuban music with Bobby Sanabria and arranging with Manny Albam. Other significant trumpet teachers in his career include Richard Burkart, William Adam, Pharez Whitted, Laurie Frink, Charley Davis and Dave Sheetz.</span></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259165203661334640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386761167949888197.post-41564871606563678222012-11-12T19:36:00.001-05:002012-11-13T10:19:26.787-05:00Veterans Day from the Road<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">by MU1 Casey Elliott</span></i><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a></div>
Any veteran of our U.S. Armed Forces can tell you that a job in the military is full of unexpected turns and extraordinary moments. As a member of the Navy Band Sea Chanters, the Navy Band’s chorus, I was surprised and excited when I found out I'd be joining the Commodores Jazz Ensemble for their 2012 fall tour through the South. Today our concert took place in the P.E. Monroe Auditorium on the campus of Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, N.C. The Sea Chanters normally tour in the spring, so performing a tour concert on Veterans Day was a once-in-a-lifetime privilege! Our audience was full of proud American veterans, as well their families and friends who knew well the meaning of the word "sacrifice." The auditorium rang with patriotism as the audience sang "The Star-Spangled Banner," and it was a thrill to see so many veterans stand and receive well-deserved applause as the Commodores played each Armed Forces service song. After the concert, the performers took advantage of the chance to visit with these veterans and hear stories about their time in service, and about those with whom they served. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbUGp2Shg28cS1en3Kc609kF5SXoVDYbeSWKwatOgo0mDrMrgQziI28qcNQse4ZDLQKl-QCa2k_AFSN9hGjA3NScXKVSRYNw0f0V2HfSFUG3kWZW4ecYoRIPjA2SMOkB75Bihn2c-_vtj/s1600/Gary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbUGp2Shg28cS1en3Kc609kF5SXoVDYbeSWKwatOgo0mDrMrgQziI28qcNQse4ZDLQKl-QCa2k_AFSN9hGjA3NScXKVSRYNw0f0V2HfSFUG3kWZW4ecYoRIPjA2SMOkB75Bihn2c-_vtj/s320/Gary.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The inimitable <br />
Chief Malvaso</td></tr>
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One of our own shipmates is currently on his final national tour with the Commodores. Chief Musician David G. Malvaso, known to his friends as "Gary," is moving on to retirement after 24 years in the Navy Band. Described by his bandmates as "thoughtful," "unassuming" and "down-to-earth," Chief Malvaso has led an amazing career while maintaining his reputation as one of the kindest gentlemen with whom one could hope to serve. A truly gifted guitarist with great range and killer solos, his musical interpretations always perfectly embody the style and feel of the genre he's playing, whether it’s jazz, blues or rock. <br />
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A native of Baltimore, Chief Malvaso laughed as he described how his journey as a musician began: "My brother owned a guitar – got one for Christmas but never played it, so I used to sneak it out of his closet and start playing it. I got really interested in it. He asked me to run an errand for him one day and he said he would give me the guitar if I did, and that was my first guitar." Larry Woolridge gave Chief Malvaso his first guitar lessons, and his first paying gig was in a cover band called "Good 'n' Plenty" at the age of 16. His favorite artists include Pat Martino, Jim Hall, Barney Kessel, Pat Metheny, John Scofield and Martin Taylor. <br />
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As a member of the Commodores' rhythm section, Chief Malvaso has performed with world-renowned artists such as James Moody and Branford Marsalis, yet when asked to identify his most memorable musical engagement while serving in the Navy he offers, "To me they all have something that you’ll never forget…you know? Some kind of moment….a great solo here, a great vocalist there…in general they’re all good." Upon retirement, Chief Malvaso says he will miss coming to work every day with such world-class musicians, but he is also really looking forward to spending more time with his wife, daughter and sons. <br />
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Being on tour with Chief Malvaso and the Commodores has been an incredible, unique musical experience for me. I'm grateful to the members of this band for treating me as one of their own (and answering the countless questions about jazz that I've asked over the past few weeks) and to my shipmates in the Sea Chanters who have, through their hard work, made it possible for me to be out here touring. Spending Veterans Day with residents of Hickory will always be one of my favorite Navy memories. <br />
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We are grateful to all those who have served our country. It is humbling to follow in the footsteps of the men and women who played a crucial part in securing the freedoms we enjoy today, and we hope we make our nation's veterans as proud of us as we are of them. <br />
<br />
Happy Veterans Day! <br />
<div class="author_info">
<h3>
About the Author</h3>
<a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/elliott_casey.shtml" target="_blank"><b>MU1 Casey Elliott</b></a> is Associate Musical Director of the US Navy Band Sea Chanters, is a native of Borger, TX.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259165203661334640noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386761167949888197.post-55420222315888396592012-11-12T16:06:00.000-05:002012-11-28T16:08:27.483-05:00A Blue Ridge Birthday<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRn8_tdOQkgYRKs2JAI8d7yiIJa1TLg8TDWhg3WaH4aCMHRT8j1G-YMVa3Gut1isoEd9rkosGKmEhvCRfJV5oQ9lIdLyUfsc2q_f_JLWmQSoSGslxh36G51sPwbx5SCYwiiEV686sDJa_i/s1600/cooper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRn8_tdOQkgYRKs2JAI8d7yiIJa1TLg8TDWhg3WaH4aCMHRT8j1G-YMVa3Gut1isoEd9rkosGKmEhvCRfJV5oQ9lIdLyUfsc2q_f_JLWmQSoSGslxh36G51sPwbx5SCYwiiEV686sDJa_i/s1600/cooper.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MU1 Nicholas R. Cooper</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">by MU1 Nicholas R. Cooper</span></i><br />
The Commodores arrived at their first stop in North Carolina today. Nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville, North Carolina was absolutely stunning. With the nearly perfect weather, you could see for miles. The band began the day by performing a jazz clinic for the students of McDowell High School, and the children were very enthusiastic with some great questions for the band.<br />
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The highlight of the clinic was our sponsor, Lloyd Weinberg, trading solos with Commodore's unit leader Senior Chief Musician Phil Burlin. Mr.Weinberg was Phil's junior high school band director and his first private saxophone instructor. Mr. Weinberg was responsible for turning Phil onto jazz in 1972, and the rest is history. Mr. Weinberg served as a Musician Third Class in the Navy music program from 1964-1968, and he was a member of the first graduating class of the School of Music at Little Creek, VA. The concert was also very special for Senior Chief Musician Steve Williams as he stood in front of our audience and gave a touching speech for his mother, Louise Williams, who was attending the evening's concert. Steve closed his speech by having everyone in attendance sing "Happy Birthday" to his mother who turned 80 on Halloween of 2012. Happy Birthday, Mrs. Williams!!<br />
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<br />
<div class="author_info">
<h3>
About the Author</h3>
<a blank="blank" href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/cooper_nicholas.shtmltarget="><b>MU1 Nicholas R. Cooper</b></a>,a native of Phoenix, Ariz., joined the Navy Band in July 2005. He currently plays lead trumpet in the Commodores. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259165203661334640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386761167949888197.post-12437221902022183192012-11-12T12:16:00.004-05:002012-11-12T12:16:48.845-05:00America, the Beautiful, Bohemian Rhapsody, and quidditch...<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">by Musician 1st Class Jennifer Krupa</span></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLf9h33jEJi6q3WupwewyZyyGQB1IHXI4S8Hon9rMQrpdyegezFYTdqLHlLG-5MWWEkVTF744UfBEkjj-JA5f04BlZLozn97O43qoz18dnFekbW_xEojMnS8u5cthYsqX8BBGQrf0qAPj/s1600/TTU+trombone+choir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLf9h33jEJi6q3WupwewyZyyGQB1IHXI4S8Hon9rMQrpdyegezFYTdqLHlLG-5MWWEkVTF744UfBEkjj-JA5f04BlZLozn97O43qoz18dnFekbW_xEojMnS8u5cthYsqX8BBGQrf0qAPj/s320/TTU+trombone+choir.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tennessee Tech University Trombone Choir</td></tr>
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One of the best things about traveling around the country with the Commodores is the opportunity to work with students at local schools. Upon arriving to Cookeville, fellow trombonists Musician 1st Class Dave Perkel, Senior Chief Musician Matt Neff and I headed over to Tennessee Tech University to hang out with the trombone choir under the direction of Dr. Joshua Hauser. After breaking the ice with introductions around the room, we sat in on numerous arrangements by Dr. Hauser. We always like to emphasize listening to as many different styles of music and to play in as many varied musical situations as possible, but we didn't expect to see it in action in the same day.<br />
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The rehearsal started with the choir performing a challenging classical arrangement of Bourgeois's Scherzo Funebre. Next "sat in" and played the beautiful ballad "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", the technically challenging Chick Corea's "Spain", an original funky tune "Eu-Phunk", and last but not least Freddie Mercury/Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody". I can't say that I've ever played all of those tunes in one rehearsal, but we certainly had fun!!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbU1qdS12ztS3lw-HYB1o2op-OkDF_3qkr5Qv4_AkSTbY9WsBi4PJJCmQdCXqEd6vVo6wDKTOnC_2IMNGGC90oMk8lFPWZ4YZNf_t7vieEVElyqON5rr07koV5VfQOkv4QXqgffSNBzic/s1600/Quidditch+at+TTU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbU1qdS12ztS3lw-HYB1o2op-OkDF_3qkr5Qv4_AkSTbY9WsBi4PJJCmQdCXqEd6vVo6wDKTOnC_2IMNGGC90oMk8lFPWZ4YZNf_t7vieEVElyqON5rr07koV5VfQOkv4QXqgffSNBzic/s320/Quidditch+at+TTU.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quidditch at TTU</td></tr>
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After the rehearsal, we walked around the TTU campus taking advantage of the crisp autumn weather. I expected to see a football practice or frisbee golf but instead was surprised to see my first quidditch match (a la Harry Potter). Although on "broomsticks" there was no flying or "golden snitch" to find, but enjoyable none the less.<br />
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Next we were drawn to the sounds of the TTU drum line. As we got closer, we saw the familiar faces of the members of the trombone choir (and the rest of the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagle Marching Band) playing, marching, dancing and running across the field. As we heard them begin rehearsing for their Veterans Day tribute halftime show (which they performed today) we knew we had to stay and check out the whole show. They performed the armed forces tribute and an arrangement based on Carmen Dragon's "America, the Beautiful" while the army reserve unit brought out the American flag. Always an awe-inspiring sight. {see picture and possible video clip}<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx_dHvVjEv4DbYROIC5py3CuyJFchw-eC3W79gaHIpudDEZ0htzXK03m3BKh8j_iMKaiMeknswYpJYw5KtLdQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Back to the music building to hear some jazz! Before our concert, the TTU jazz band (which of course included members of the trombone choir!) performed for the commodores while Rob Holmes led a clinic. I'm so impressed with the versatility of the program and all of the hard work by the students and teachers at Tennessee Tech. We had a great time and look forward to the next visit!<br />
<div class="author_info">
<h3>
About the Author</h3>
<a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/krupa_jennifer.shtml" target="_blank"><b>Musician 1st Class Jennifer Krupa</b></a> was born in Connecticut and raised in Hemet, Calif., and joined the Navy Band in 2004. She earned a Bachelor of Music from the University of North Florida in 1994, an Artist Diploma from The Juilliard School in 2003 and a Master of Music from the University of Maryland in 2010, all in jazz studies. Krupa has performed with Wynton Marsalis and The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, the Wycliffe Gordon Quintet/Sextet, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, Sherrie Maricle and the DIVA Jazz Orchestra, and Christian McBride in addition to co-leading her own small group, JLQ. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259165203661334640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386761167949888197.post-71134300982888576512012-11-09T13:45:00.000-05:002012-11-09T16:31:15.090-05:00The Commodores swing into the country music capitol<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">by MU1 Dave Perkel</span></i> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGynpVgISPLxJYs3K5kp9AL1ksh2I0GT4DvvBceHfcD_FfZe2gLtMJdHU75Sm5AxE-Pfv-fjj7SaVbbenb7YxQbPURCc1vuMemGLk5sfH77_PhjZp47WSWWmA0mmy4xihjMHKi-krDmGr/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGynpVgISPLxJYs3K5kp9AL1ksh2I0GT4DvvBceHfcD_FfZe2gLtMJdHU75Sm5AxE-Pfv-fjj7SaVbbenb7YxQbPURCc1vuMemGLk5sfH77_PhjZp47WSWWmA0mmy4xihjMHKi-krDmGr/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portland High School Band students enjoyed the<br />Commodores concert.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's hard to believe that the Commodores have been on the road for more than two weeks now! I have been in the Commodores for ten years, and this has certainly been one of my favorite tours. The band sounds absolutely incredible every night, and the soloists are all very inspiring. As the lead trombonist, I sit right in the middle of the band, and it is truly a pleasure to be surrounded by so many talented musicians. Everyone plays at such a high level and I can't help but think, “I can’t believe this is what I do for a living!” <br />
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On the other side of the spectrum, the camaraderie and respect from all of the band members have been making the occasional long bus rides, “set-ups and tear downs”, and down time quite enjoyable. The positive attitudes of all of the band members make for a very comfortable and professional environment.<br />
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After each concert, a few members of the band greet patrons and thank them for attending the performance. It is always a treat meeting audience members and chatting with them for a few minutes. Additionally, the sponsors have been so gracious and welcoming in each city. This was no exception in Nashville as Mr. Steve Rhodes made sure the house was full at the Collins Alumni Auditorium. The audience at tonight’s concert was absolutely fantastic, and this was very much appreciated by everyone in the band.<br />
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We are off to Cookeville, Tennessee tomorrow, and we are looking forward to performing at Tennessee Tech University! <br />
<div class="author_info">
<h3>
About the Author</h3>
<a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/perkel_david.shtml" target="_blank"><b>MU1 David M. Perkel</b></a> MU1 Dave Perkel, a native of St. Louis, MO has been a member of the Commodores Jazz Ensemble since 2002. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259165203661334640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386761167949888197.post-63607645874421310392012-11-07T10:42:00.002-05:002012-11-07T15:57:52.556-05:00Both Sides Now<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">by Chief Musician Peter Revell</span></i><br />
As Tour Manager for the first half of our 2012 Tour, I've had the privilege of seeing the band through the great states of New Mexico and Texas, from the vast desert expanse to farmland and big blue skies. I've been out in front of the group in the tour car, staying a step ahead of the bus and the truck, keeping things rolling smoothly and putting smiles on the faces of our great sponsors and patrons...and keeping my shipmates well rested and, for the most part, properly fed.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq59fUJyXViYdBP73BPGOnSOYydA_ckxiTidijQnFMgiDMNWbCuOi3uCJVqZ7C0GQftkNmnbQ5_3tfTRaLZoejjI90__SmrRc-rGce-7MOs7519P8e9ktV0N4glf7wAVt7ZZ8K-KKEcTF-/s1600/2012-11-04_10-05-25_401.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq59fUJyXViYdBP73BPGOnSOYydA_ckxiTidijQnFMgiDMNWbCuOi3uCJVqZ7C0GQftkNmnbQ5_3tfTRaLZoejjI90__SmrRc-rGce-7MOs7519P8e9ktV0N4glf7wAVt7ZZ8K-KKEcTF-/s320/2012-11-04_10-05-25_401.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Now, after relinquishing the car keys, and stepping back into just one role, as bassist, I'm happy to be riding the bus with my shipmates. It's nice to have a few laughs and do some reading between cities. Also, I get to be the truck driver to our concert sites...something I enjoy. It fulfills my inner child's need for driving large vehicles!<br />
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As yesterday was a matinee, we took the band directly to the concert venue in the next town, so I got to drive the "big rig" to Searcy, Arkansas, along with <a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/stanley_timothy.shtml">Musician 1st Class Tim Stanley</a> as navigator and cab music director. Underway he picked some great travelling music to keep our toes tapping and smiles on our faces as we worked our way east. The fall foliage was beautiful and the ride was a smooth one.<br />
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After getting on I-40 East we soon found ourselves in Searcy, Ark., and at Harding University, where I was excited to see a venue that I've actually played at twice before...first as a Sea Chanter on a much colder February Tour many years ago, and then as a Commodore 5 years ago.<br />
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There's something neat about coming back to a venue that you've been to before, especially when it houses a beautiful Baldwin grand piano for our pianist, <a href="http://http//www.navyband.navy.mil/lamaestra_daniel.shtml">Musician 1st Class Dan LaMaestra</a>, to play and for us to enjoy. We had great sponsors who helped us get our gear in place and then were kind enough to treat us to some local flavor provided by Lenny's Sub Shop. Truly a great surprise.<br />
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Once set up, the band did what it does best...play and entertain. After a stirring National Anthem perfectly executed by <a href="http://http//www.navyband.navy.mil/elliott_casey.shtml">Musician 1st Class Casey Elliott</a>, the band rollicked and swung through some real crowd pleasers, including a great latin groove treatment of "One Mint Julep" which featured every section and made you really move your feet. After it was all wrapped up, again perfectly by MU1 Elliot inspiring us and the crowd with her soulful rendition of America, we had a wonderful standing ovation.<br />
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I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday, and I'm lucky to have had such a great view!<br />
<div class="author_info"><h3>About the Author</h3><a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/revell_peter.shtml" target="_blank"><b>Chief Musician Peter Revell</b></a> joined the Navy band in 1995. Originally selected as an instrumentalist with the Navy Band Sea Chanters chorus, he joined the Commodores jazz ensemble in 2006. In addition to his performance duties, Revell is a national tour manager, responsible for booking and managing national concert tours.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259165203661334640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386761167949888197.post-46739242139084332942012-11-06T14:11:00.001-05:002012-11-07T15:54:05.323-05:00Oxford Blues<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">by </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Musician 1st Class Timothy D. Stanley</span></i></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgardZ0y3TQu3ocygyX81qZAgYl-jtjtvsQvtH-DiAGe1GvsdGoi4QQUWy8t7gTvm0RGE1aeypWCAlVxMC4wQY0RTjjISKBTur7xgC5ljzZgB2jn-B6NWgmh0Fh5t0r08iGWJ67M77DnxIK/s1600/Ole+Miss+Blog+Photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgardZ0y3TQu3ocygyX81qZAgYl-jtjtvsQvtH-DiAGe1GvsdGoi4QQUWy8t7gTvm0RGE1aeypWCAlVxMC4wQY0RTjjISKBTur7xgC5ljzZgB2jn-B6NWgmh0Fh5t0r08iGWJ67M77DnxIK/s320/Ole+Miss+Blog+Photo.jpeg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tonight the Commodores descended upon the University of Mississippi, affectionately </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">known as “Ole Miss”. We were so fortunate to perform at the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Performing Arts on the beautiful Ole Miss campus. The hall is breathtaking and anyone who </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">happens upon the opportunity to catch a performance in this breathtaking venue, should not </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">hesitate.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Those who have been keeping up with the Navy Band tour blog know that one of the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">great thrills of going on national tours is the chance to see friends and family that live close </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">enough to attend concerts. In fact, it happens almost every night. It was for this reason that I </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">was going to find something else to write about tonight, but I was thrown a curve ball.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefzd8A9zSH0FqY33HKu-ebl8qEJw5NIGLU0z1B5lcyu_GIjYmDkkiiiAAC0I4PDoFXXdOeCUiYD3CltrxvUiTeplvFZj-TQtTRD3XWhPNXslqp-7r-OYkmHNruAI17HlCDrm1N779MXSF/s1600/Steve+blog+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefzd8A9zSH0FqY33HKu-ebl8qEJw5NIGLU0z1B5lcyu_GIjYmDkkiiiAAC0I4PDoFXXdOeCUiYD3CltrxvUiTeplvFZj-TQtTRD3XWhPNXslqp-7r-OYkmHNruAI17HlCDrm1N779MXSF/s320/Steve+blog+photo.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
As far as I can remember, no Commodore has ever found long lost relatives on the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">road…until now. Chief Musician Steve Williams met, for the first time, his second cousin, Jean </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Parkinson Blackston. Both Steve and his cousin were aware of each other’s existence, but had </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">never met. She didn’t even know he was in the band! Jean is the daughter of Steve’s Great Aunt </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Martha, who lived to be 106 years old.</span><br />
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There were also some first time happenings on stage tonight. Musician 1st Class Jon </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Barnes premiered his first arrangement for the band, Duke Pearson’s “Empathy”. In the midst </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">of this arrangement, Senior Chief Musician Phil Burlin played his very first flute solo in the band </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">after 22 years of service. He sounded like he’s been practicing for 22 years!</span><br />
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Thanks to Ole Miss, Ms. Blackston and all the fine folks of Oxford, Mississippi for a </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">wonderful evening. We hope to see you all again soon!</span><br />
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<div class="author_info"><h3>About the Author</h3><a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/stanley_timothy.shtml" target="_blank"><b>Musician 1st Class Timothy D. Stanley</b></a> <span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">was <span style="line-height: 18px;">born and raised in Belleville, Illinois. He joined the Navy Band in 2004. He studied Jazz at Eastern Illinois University where his teachers included acclaimed pianist Henry Butler and W. Parker Melvin. Petty Officer Stanley enlisted in the Navy as a musician in 1997.</span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259165203661334640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386761167949888197.post-983121083158959422012-11-04T11:20:00.001-05:002012-11-04T12:09:26.521-05:00A Memorable Night in Arkadelphia, Arkansas<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">by Chief Musician Rob Holmes </span></i><br />
I awakened Saturday, Nov. 3rd in the morning to board the bus for an early departure to Arkadelphia, Ark. My first thought of the day was that I had never been to Arkadelphia, but I couldn't help drawing a parallel to the fact that both of my parents grew up just outside of Philadelphia, so I figured this would be a great opportunity to have a brand new life experience. It was also time to put the lunar-like terrain of New Mexico and the vast blue skies of Texas behind us as we began the eleventh day of our national tour. Chief Musician Peter Revell, our road manager for the first half of tour, passed the coveted torch (a rental car...) to Musician 1st Class Scott Shepherd who took over as tour manager for the remainder of our tour. Well done, Chief Revell, and thank you for your efforts! The Commodores are looking forward to MU1 Shepherd’s portion of the tour with open eyes (and loosened belts) as Shepherd is known for his culinary sensibilities. <br />
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<a name='more'></a>Housed on the beautiful campus of Ouachita Baptist University (pronounced: wosh-i-taw), Jones Performing Arts Center provided a memorable setting both visually and acoustically for our evening concert. The University shares its name with the 605-mile Ouachita River which flows from Western Arkansas, through Northeast Louisiana, to the Black River near Jonesville, La. It turns out that our sponsor, Dr. Craig Hamilton, is a contemporary of the Commodore's lead alto player, Senior Chief Steve Williams, as Dr. Hamilton studied music under the guidance of Steve’s father. Somehow the Commodores always seem to make and renew connections like this on tour!<br />
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As the new musical director, it seems fitting to talk about the evening's program. Some highlights included a rousing rendition of W. C. Handy’s “St. Louis Blues” which featured Musician 1st Class Tim Stanley, a native of Bellville, Illinois, on trumpet. Augmented with his plunger mute, he poured his heart out through his trumpet and may have been reflecting on the ‘Giant’ disappointment that fans of the St. Louis Cardinals felt at the abrupt end of their unpredictable baseball season. The concert also featured a stunning arrangement of Jimi Hendrix’s “Up from the Skies” which was masterfully orchestrated by renowned pianist and arranger Jim McNeely. This chart featured stellar solos by Chief Luis Hernandez on saxophone and Chief Jamie Way on trombone. Ironically, the piece required participation from everyone in the ensemble except for our versatile guitarist Chief Gary Malvaso. Who could imagine a traditional big band tackling a Jimi Hendrix tune while giving the guitar player a break? Our guest vocalist, Musician 1st Class Casey Elliott, continues to dazzle audiences night after night. Tonight, her rendition of “Cry Me a River” was sublime.<br />
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We continue our tour tomorrow in Searcy, Ark. and we're looking forward to another great show. I leave you with a tour Haiku:<br />
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Arkadelphia <br />
A great Commodores tour stop! <br />
Sharing jazz music <br />
<div class="author_info">
<h3>
About the Author</h3>
<a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/holmes_robert.shtml" target="_blank"><b>MUC Robert Holmes</b></a> MUC Robert Holmes is a native of Washington, D.C., and he has been a member of the Commodores since April 2000. Holmes is in great demand as a clinician for the Commodores both nationally and throughout the region. Since joining the Commodores, he has contributed more than 30 musical arrangements, including nine original compositions, and in 2005, he produced the Commodores recording, “Three Shades of Blue”. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259165203661334640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386761167949888197.post-81934322967874281142012-11-04T10:00:00.000-05:002012-11-04T12:12:24.744-05:00Working with Tyler Junior College students<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">by Chief Musician David G. Malvaso</span></i> <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PGtPyXemtTD8Zqfn72jsE1zM3_qmqQyI5PQrKHEF_nagemUsMrYlCnNP1mSusFXCb8U_KNEnGVx6Ln0O-bkIpAcPrEu3GiaaeIZ-PTmWS5S3ZDzfEX4_exC_5L44bohWs-m_0kc4BntB/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PGtPyXemtTD8Zqfn72jsE1zM3_qmqQyI5PQrKHEF_nagemUsMrYlCnNP1mSusFXCb8U_KNEnGVx6Ln0O-bkIpAcPrEu3GiaaeIZ-PTmWS5S3ZDzfEX4_exC_5L44bohWs-m_0kc4BntB/s320/4.jpg" width="238" /></a>Friday Nov. 2nd brought the band to Tyler, Texas where we had a special clinic lined up to work with the jazz students of Tyler Junior College. We started the clinic by playing one of their charts and then each of our sections gave pointers and examples to help the students improve their big band skills. The students were very receptive and showed immediate improvement. It is nice feeling to know that we could use our talents to help out these students in their endeavor to become stronger musicians. Heather Mensch, Professor of Jazz Studies and Low Brass, does an outstanding job of getting these kids fired up about being jazz musicians and it shows in their skill level. I think the clinic was highly enjoyable for both the students and the Commodores despite being a long travel day to get there, teach the clinic, and then play a show at night.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAdeCgwnWz8FT6ykR7TBPW4NnBMvgFA58QijSw6NORjSAuE2qLlcbreTEi6fUPJs-OqMyiGYij9_nYbXMVPDLux4TxYZksiYE9VNPZp3ZAJRTwIKIb6s1fwYJJf_VVvC76owHx9M1NUeO/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAdeCgwnWz8FT6ykR7TBPW4NnBMvgFA58QijSw6NORjSAuE2qLlcbreTEi6fUPJs-OqMyiGYij9_nYbXMVPDLux4TxYZksiYE9VNPZp3ZAJRTwIKIb6s1fwYJJf_VVvC76owHx9M1NUeO/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a>The concert that night went very well and the audience was very enthusiastic. Keep up the good work and hope to see you the next time we come to Tyler. A big thanks to Musician 1st Class Casey Elliot on taking the photos.<br />
<div class="author_info"><h3>About the Author</h3><a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/malvaso_david.shtml" target="_blank"><b>Chief Musician David G. Malvaso</b></a> is originally from Baltimore, Md. and joined the Navy Band in 1990. He began his musician studies at age 13 and played his first professional gig at age 15. His teacher was the late, great guitarist and composer Larry Wooldridge. Prior to his appointment to the Navy Band, he gained experience by playing concerts, clubs, and studios, and he toured with various bands around the United States learning many styles. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259165203661334640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386761167949888197.post-75300274919528243202012-11-04T07:57:00.000-05:002012-11-04T08:49:40.058-05:00A visit to PASIC!<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">by Chief Musician John Parsons</span></i><br />
On Nov. 1st the tour brought the band to Austin, TX, my day started with a short walk down to the Hilton to what is considered the ultimate convention for drummers. The Percussive Arts Society International Convention happened to be in town at exactly the same time as the Commodores! Percussionist and former Navy Band member Chief Musician (ret.) John Emrich, introduced me to the Remo representative, Bruce Jacoby, who helped me resolve an issue I’d been having with a piece of equipment. After watching a performance by Afro Bop, led by <a href="http://www.usna.edu/USNABand/" target="_blank">Naval Academy Band</a> drummer, Joe McCarthy, it was off to the meet the bus for our trip to the next city.<br />
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Temple, TX was the next concert city. Also located in central Texas, Temple was founded as a railroad town in 1881 by the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railroad. It was named after former company employee, Bernard Moore Temple. Performing at Temple College was somewhat of a reunion for Musician 1st Class Nicholas Cooper, lead trumpet player for the Commodores. Dr. Colin Mason, Director of Jazz Studies at Temple, matriculated with MU1 Cooper at Northern Arizona University. They played together in the Northern Arizona big band from 1993 to 1994. Performing for an almost capacity crowd, the Temple concertgoers were clearly jazz lovers. One of the most enthusiastic crowds of the tour to date, the electricity they provided the band propelled the Commodores to another great evening of big band jazz. <br />
<div class="author_info">
<h3>
About the Author</h3>
<a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/parsons_john.shtml" target="_blank"><b>Chief Musician John Parsons</b></a> Chief Musician John Parsons, a native of Virginia Beach, Va., joined the Navy Band in 1999 as a founding member of the Cruisers. Since November 2001, he has been a member of the Navy’s premier jazz ensemble, the Commodores, and is a featured soloist on nearly every performance. Prior to his appointment to the Navy Band, he attended Old Dominion University and was a member of the Naval Academy Band in Annapolis, Md., where he performed with the Electric Brigade.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259165203661334640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386761167949888197.post-3090362603258567372012-11-01T14:52:00.004-04:002012-11-02T08:19:22.861-04:00Meeting an Icon of Jazz Drumming!<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">by Chief Musician Luis Hernandez</span></i><br />
“On the road again; just can’t wait to get on the road again.<br />
The life I love is making music with my friends…”<br />
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Willie Nelson’s sentiment in this well known song captures our excitement while on the road for another national tour. Okay, we’re not “a band of gypsies going down the highway”, but we are “The World’s Finest” spreading the Navy’s message and sharing a quintessentially American art form to thousands of wonderful folks between New Mexico and D.C. For me, it’s tour number 17, and the chance to play with a fantastic big band and travel around the country never gets old. Plus, we get to stumble upon cool little restaurants like “Health Camp Super Burgers & Shakes” in Waco, Texas. This place is certainly worthy of a visit from Guy Fieri from “Diners, Drive-ins, Dives”!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRApULLMh0YJeesgQtWsXzC-avKZnACm59c5HBiVDk7OPYIOBmZqfrhZt8DbIpPJSoVZN224xtrVfU1CCJrQUXWLgrw1XUzNSi5WBrTtOJBJdml1au66_gr5ll1YGpOQCchfQzGu-34jRB/s1600/Luis+blog+pic+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRApULLMh0YJeesgQtWsXzC-avKZnACm59c5HBiVDk7OPYIOBmZqfrhZt8DbIpPJSoVZN224xtrVfU1CCJrQUXWLgrw1XUzNSi5WBrTtOJBJdml1au66_gr5ll1YGpOQCchfQzGu-34jRB/s320/Luis+blog+pic+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drummers Butch Miles and <br />
Chief John Parsons</td></tr>
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Our performance on Oct. 30 in San Marcos, Texas. was sponsored by the Texas State University School of Music and was well attended by a very enthusiastic audience. Commodores music director <a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/holmes_robert.shtml" target="_blank">Chief Musician Rob Holmes</a> programmed a wonderfully swingin’ set infused with Basie, Woody Herman, and even Cannonball and Coltrane. You can imagine our excitement when we learned a few minutes before downbeat that none other than Butch Miles, the fabulous drummer with the Count Basie orchestra was in attendance! Our drummer <a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/parsons_john.shtml" target="_blank">Chief Musician John Parsons</a> and the rest of the group were honored to meet him afterwards. He loved the Commodores!<br />
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With another concert in the can, we’re off to Austin and looking forward to making some more music “on the road again”.<br />
<div class="author_info">
<h3>
About the Author</h3>
<a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/hernandez_luis.shtml" target="_blank"><b>Chief Musician Luis Hernandez</b></a> A native of Miami, Fla., Chief Musician Luis Hernandez began his musical career at the age of 14. He joined the Commodores as tenor saxophonist in 1996. Prior to the Navy Band, in 1987, he attended the New World School of The Arts, and enjoyed the opportunities to perform alongside jazz greats such as Ira Sullivan and Freddie Hubbard. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259165203661334640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386761167949888197.post-70088953220030145042012-10-30T20:48:00.000-04:002012-10-30T21:04:59.965-04:00High up in the sky the little stars climb<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">by Chief Musician Jamie Way</span></i> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNm6CJGnN9NNOwjGqQbsn0n8DSfloOWsiUc-QaQqlbxDXLnnseZXc2Eq94n6xJVPWSJ9PGGIJfpiy18fh3yDfPX5sQlPNZHs-84SClqIZKsFUP227pvpxEwgJjfIl_XMXcZvXAjO3JeyNR/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNm6CJGnN9NNOwjGqQbsn0n8DSfloOWsiUc-QaQqlbxDXLnnseZXc2Eq94n6xJVPWSJ9PGGIJfpiy18fh3yDfPX5sQlPNZHs-84SClqIZKsFUP227pvpxEwgJjfIl_XMXcZvXAjO3JeyNR/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>After several years of touring with the Commodores, this was the first time I was worried about the weather back home. Hurricane Sandy dominates the news, even out here in Texas. As a bachelor, it was a relief to hear my colleagues say things like "I talked to my wife and our power is still on" or, "Washington seems to have avoided the worst of it."<br />
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When we began our tour in New Mexico, they were receiving their first colder days of autumn. The accompanying photo should give you an idea of the beautiful short-sleeve shirt weather that greeted us in Fort Worth.<br />
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The evening's concert was at Paschal High School (pronounced "PASS-kle), which was founded over a hundred years ago. We always perform a medley of songs from the big band era, and Musician 1st Class Bill Dunn's rendition of "Stardust" received a warm response from the audience. Years ago, the former principal at Paschal lost his son in World War II, and "Stardust" was his son's favorite song. The school band started to perform it, and it was the school song for a while.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQdEAOEcpUeoTxTHUZT9VtBEHvjNQpjmyZzLaoBYHTSV8w0eM6P_oP88I9vnMi3LIMtL3qfO-KFY9013zIgu5QVV3fVh3mICYb3WUkxJf3bZWIzkVFrixlqadl0HsqVgw74PM_SCpolE1/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQdEAOEcpUeoTxTHUZT9VtBEHvjNQpjmyZzLaoBYHTSV8w0eM6P_oP88I9vnMi3LIMtL3qfO-KFY9013zIgu5QVV3fVh3mICYb3WUkxJf3bZWIzkVFrixlqadl0HsqVgw74PM_SCpolE1/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Our arrangement of "Stardust" was taken from Artie Shaw's classic 1930s recording, with Harry James on trumpet. Many big band era musicians joined the military during World War II to support the war effort, and Artie Shaw joined the U.S. Navy.<br />
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Also in attendance were several family members of Musician 1st Class Casey Elliott, who spent part of her youth in Fort Worth. She is shown here with her mother.<br />
<div class="author_info"><h3>About the Author</h3><a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/way_james.shtml" target="_blank"><b>Chief Musician Jamie Way</b></a> joined the Navy Band in 1996. Prior to his appointment with the Navy Band, Chief Way was a member of the United States Military Academy Band at West Point, New York, where he performed with the "Jazz Knights" jazz ensemble. He received a diploma from the Interlochen Arts Academy and a Bachelor of Music from the Eastman School of Music.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259165203661334640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386761167949888197.post-3094756716228598512012-10-30T11:33:00.000-04:002012-10-30T20:51:03.041-04:00Let's put on a show!<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">by Senior Chief Musician William Mulligan</span></i><br />
As the Commodores' master of ceremonies, I often tell our audiences that we do a different show every night, and it's true! We travel with a large book of about 100 musical arrangements. Our musical director, Chief Musician <a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/holmes_robert.shtml" target="_blank">Rob Holmes</a>, puts together a new program every night. This certainly keeps the members of the band on their toes, everyone has to bring their "A" game to the stage every night! He does a great job of keeping everyone involved. Chief Holmes says, "We are fortunate to have six writers and a band full of uniquely talented solo voices. Incorporating them into each program makes for an exciting show."<br />
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While the show changes every night, there are some constants. Chief Holmes always programs a mix of the old and the new in big band jazz; from classics by jazz greats such as Basie, Kenton, and Ellington to original arrangements by members of the band that you can't hear anywhere else. We always play some hits from the WWII era, and we always finish with our "Armed Forces Salute." We are honored to have so many veterans attend our shows, we don't want to leave the stage without paying tribute to them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffk8zXQ0WAxxOOAZgxB0sTdZLqGYA9M8SXmVOwwvB28ciSeDQEKH4yCsZj0_uXFrAuUPkZmgT0oemc35uDbDEwOXUr_NMxJsHZyxAwaTRQnoPqq4uQCOb99vigtEy7V_k0xq72HUlinRQ/s1600/MU1Elliot+with+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffk8zXQ0WAxxOOAZgxB0sTdZLqGYA9M8SXmVOwwvB28ciSeDQEKH4yCsZj0_uXFrAuUPkZmgT0oemc35uDbDEwOXUr_NMxJsHZyxAwaTRQnoPqq4uQCOb99vigtEy7V_k0xq72HUlinRQ/s320/MU1Elliot+with+family.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Musician 1st Class Casey Elliott with her parents after the concert</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Certainly one of the highlights of our shows on this tour has been the wonderful singing of <a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/elliott_casey.shtml" target="_blank">Musician 1st Class Casey Elliott</a>. She comes to us "on loan" from the Navy Band Sea Chanters, where she is the associate enlisted conductor, and we are thrilled to have her! Her background is primarily in choral singing, she is making her debut performing in front of a jazz ensemble. Petty Office Elliott says "I love my job because I get a chance to train in another genre while performing with world-class musicians." I think our audiences so far would agree, she sounds perfectly at home in front of the band!<br />
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A native of Texas, Elliott is very happy to be returning home on this tour. She attended high school in Borger, Texas, and was a music education major at Texas Tech. She is grateful for the outstanding musical education she received in the great state of Texas, and so are we!<br />
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We would also like to express our gratitude to Bill and Teresa Robertson, proprietors of the Big Apple Deli on the town square of Snyder. Normally closed on Sundays, they opened their fantastic deli just for us, so that we could dine there following our show at the Coliseum. We had a great time, thanks! <br />
<div class="author_info"><h3>About the Author</h3><a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/mulligan_william.shtml" target="_blank"><b>Senior Chief Musician William Mulligan</b></a> is a native of Columbus, Ohio and joined the Navy Band in 1997. He is the Commodores’ master of ceremonies and alto saxophone instrumentalist.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259165203661334640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386761167949888197.post-74844230466342737592012-10-29T11:43:00.000-04:002012-10-29T11:45:11.861-04:00One of the occasional perks of tour: free gourmet local cuisine!<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">by Senior Chief Musician Steve Williams</span></i> <br />
Our visit to Artesia, New Mexico was thoroughly delightful.<b></b> Artesia is an interesting town located in southeastern New Mexico. The community’s economy is based largely on the oil and gas industry (as evidenced by the large refinery directly across from our lodging, very interesting!) and various agricultural activities.<br />
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Upon our arrival at the hotel, we were greeted by several townspeople who were hosting a benefit for an organization that helps the victims of domestic violence. Many of the restaurants in the community were participating in this worthy cause by serving up samples of their cuisine in the lobby of the Hotel Artesia, where the Commodores were billeted for the evening. Joy Barr, the general manager of our hotel, graciously invited the Commodores to the event. We were treated to wonderful southwestern cuisine, including several delicious versions of barbeque, jalapeno poppers and many dishes based on green chilies. Yum!<br />
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The concert that evening, held at the Artesia High School Auditorium was received enthusiastically. Our sponsors, the Artesia Arts Council, were organized, helpful and couldn’t have been more welcoming. A contingent of the local NJROTC (“Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps” – for high school age young adults) was in attendance. Many members of the Commodores spoke with this group following the concert.<br />
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Our new music director, <a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/holmes_robert.shtml" target="_blank">Chief Musician Rob Holmes</a>, ensured the band was well prepared for this year’s tour. The results of Chief Holmes' careful preparations were clearly apparent as the band played extremely well with fine solos all around. Bravo Zulu Chief Holmes!<br />
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Our visit to Artesia was a wonderful experience. We offer many thanks to our sponsors and the entire community of Artesia. We look forward to visiting you again someday!<br />
<div class="author_info">
<h3>
About the Author</h3>
<a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/williams_stephen.shtml" target="_blank"><b>Senior Chief Musician Stephen Williams</b></a> is a native of Pensacola, Fla. and joined Navy Band Commodores in March 1994. The unit’s lead saxophonist since 1997, he was the music director from 2003 until 2009. He has composed/arranged over 40 compositions for the group and produced its recently released CD, “Directions.”</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259165203661334640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386761167949888197.post-79238646167265938992012-10-28T17:41:00.005-04:002012-10-29T11:59:26.874-04:00The Commodores Invade Roswell!<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">by Senior Chief Musician Matt Neff</span></i><br />
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</span></i> <i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Captain’s log: </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Star-date 27 OCT 2012-</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Roswell, NM, Planet Earth, Alpha Centauri System</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1P-tH_X63z2elIPsVPH7-FctEc-CAcomYnKAxiLUX3BmNjRtUEdDQ834kNskudW2S-7-Kc5kz2H6OzWF90UXZXH5VwqY6awkmREPOQuE3CzuVXUJMygmP-HdkRwYxM_rNtZiSIEm8hBL/s1600/IMAG0477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1P-tH_X63z2elIPsVPH7-FctEc-CAcomYnKAxiLUX3BmNjRtUEdDQ834kNskudW2S-7-Kc5kz2H6OzWF90UXZXH5VwqY6awkmREPOQuE3CzuVXUJMygmP-HdkRwYxM_rNtZiSIEm8hBL/s200/IMAG0477.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>They arrived. A ’band’ of 20, men and women. Carrying strange instruments and luggage. They swiftly departed their rolling craft and entered the temporary domicile (aka ‘hotel’). Some members emerged from the ‘hotel’ and ran away. Others hid behind closed doors, creating all kinds of noise – from low drones to screaming high pitches. Clearly these are creatures of a different sort.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been a big fan of sci-fi for most of my life. This is not my first visit to Roswell. I’ve toured here before with the Concert Band, but this is the first time the Commodores have performed in Roswell in at least 22 years. It was fun to observe everyone’s first impression as we entered town. Most of the band was seeing all of the alien shops and the UFO museum for the first time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MU1 William Dunn with the Cadets in Roswell, NM</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The drive into Roswell is pretty unique. Living in the Washington, D.C. metro area, it is rare to be out of cell phone range and many miles from gas stations, fast food, etc. So to drive about 200 miles with only a of couple towns, isolated ranches and limited cell service was intriguing. Roswell on the other hand, is a busy town with alien tourist attractions, great restaurants/shops and a world-class military academy – New Mexico Military Institute. It was great to perform at Pearson Auditorium and especially groovy to have so many young cadets at our performance!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzch71KgmL10Z1qHzEuhXcUpH4_HFmi3fDgM6bcKLThVT7_Nw3l-l3lpTkh5l2cofSU8vVW5NvBA59UEcBiPgIMhBh-pELbslfs8eZeZgYyrMPbGHJZsoErJsHXjNH4uw3OJA5FYPifnnN/s1600/IMAG0478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzch71KgmL10Z1qHzEuhXcUpH4_HFmi3fDgM6bcKLThVT7_Nw3l-l3lpTkh5l2cofSU8vVW5NvBA59UEcBiPgIMhBh-pELbslfs8eZeZgYyrMPbGHJZsoErJsHXjNH4uw3OJA5FYPifnnN/s320/IMAG0478.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Navy Band has a connection with sci-fi. Former Navy Bandsman Jay Chattaway composed the original Star Trek theme! Add to that all of the ‘out of this world’ talent in the Commodores, and Roswell, New Mexico is the perfect tour stop!</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<h3>
About the Author</h3>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/THEPERSONSLINKHERE" target="_blank"><b>Senior Chief Musician Matt Neff </b></a> <span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13pt;">is a native of Hollidaysburg, Pa. and joined the Navy Band in July 1992. Prior to his appointment in the Commodores in 2009, he was bass trombonist in the Concert/Ceremonial Band. In addition to his duties as bass trombonist in the Commodores, MUCS Neff serves a</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13pt;">s the National Tour Director for Navy Band.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259165203661334640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386761167949888197.post-78664893972405273922012-10-27T12:50:00.000-04:002012-10-31T14:37:44.362-04:00Family and shipmates!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">by Senior Chief Musician Philip Burlin</span></i> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDAgJImIkDKzFcj592TXEKjzeTr5DHB8Nk1v4M68NEmjT8eJ80q1PspJfNWRyuieX6AGFdzdRAyOj_Aaur-A_nXIJIabN54BCvBFcUE_hF9vLCE0UJRcbVZVirsYQZJqpdt-pIZXgF4Ro/s1600/Commodes+Saxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDAgJImIkDKzFcj592TXEKjzeTr5DHB8Nk1v4M68NEmjT8eJ80q1PspJfNWRyuieX6AGFdzdRAyOj_Aaur-A_nXIJIabN54BCvBFcUE_hF9vLCE0UJRcbVZVirsYQZJqpdt-pIZXgF4Ro/s320/Commodes+Saxes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saxophones signing autographs!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Commodores jazz ensemble has begun our fall 2012 national tour. We flew out from Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Oct. 25th to meet our tour bus and equipment truck in Albuquerque, N.M. Our first concert was performed Thursday night at Manzano High School to a very enthusiastic audience of music fans including students from the Manzano H.S. band program. After the concert the band was swarmed with students and audience members with questions about the Navy and Navy music.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6dRC2aj7sSOX7WDbYVHnttc47GBIVDhbSlngcBtJQfqGI2HotxYWXTc7RX-AVy2Lt0aMUSExIYQ_IfTTSF2yCr5cuJ5x97eGibtbsbUCdvKfNgstWEMnezp9v0GDuvX5-t8zyh03EPm5/s1600/MUC+Way.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6dRC2aj7sSOX7WDbYVHnttc47GBIVDhbSlngcBtJQfqGI2HotxYWXTc7RX-AVy2Lt0aMUSExIYQ_IfTTSF2yCr5cuJ5x97eGibtbsbUCdvKfNgstWEMnezp9v0GDuvX5-t8zyh03EPm5/s320/MUC+Way.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chief Musician Jamie Way with his parents.</td></tr>
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This is my 22nd tour with the Commodores and it never ceases to amaze me that band members seem to have friends, relatives, former classmates and teachers, and acquaintances in almost every city we perform. Last night in Albuquerque was no exception. In the audience were the parents of Commodores jazz trombonist Chief Musician Jamie Way. We also met Musician First Class (retired) Dave Natseway (bass trombone), a former band mate of U.S. Navy Band's Executive Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Walt Cline. Mr. Natseway served in Memphis, Hawaii, Japan, and Seattle. He also happens to have attended college with Commodores Lead Trumpeter, Musician First Class Nick Cooper. MU1 Cooper and Mr. Natseway also performed together while Cooper was in the U.S. Air Force Band in Japan and Mr. Natseway was serving in the U.S. Navy 7th Fleet Band in 1998-99. It really is a small world!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzLRrPTQfmHh7mLcBC7VpB6rq5Gwnf615A_-dgLSE9tt3ZoO9baJS6FHcRxDtdG6TV7WY-5UFb76QpEs840MD1QzW6f2BNadNtYQWGAtZitbEsbcgKsbwrNEuzl6ips5LNIsO2QI-yumy/s1600/XO+with+Commodes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzLRrPTQfmHh7mLcBC7VpB6rq5Gwnf615A_-dgLSE9tt3ZoO9baJS6FHcRxDtdG6TV7WY-5UFb76QpEs840MD1QzW6f2BNadNtYQWGAtZitbEsbcgKsbwrNEuzl6ips5LNIsO2QI-yumy/s320/XO+with+Commodes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
From left: MU1 Nick Cooper, Lt. Cmdr. Walt Cline,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
MU1 (ret.) Dave Natseway</div>
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Our next stop may be “out of this world” as we travel to Roswell, N.M., famous for the alleged crash of an extra-terrestrial spacecraft with alien occupants in July 1947.….very spooky……….<br />
<div class="author_info">
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
About the Author</h3>
<a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/burlin_philip.shtml" target="_blank"><b>Senior Chief Musician Philip Burlin</b></a> Senior Chief Musician Phil Burlin, a native of Camp Springs, Md., joined the Navy Band in 1991 and is the unit leader of the Commodores. He attended St. Mary’s College of Maryland and later North Texas State University in Denton, Texas, from 1979-1982. Senior Chief Burlin was the producer of the Commodores CD recordings Here and Now and Sessions on M Street and has written numerous compositions and arrangements for the band. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259165203661334640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386761167949888197.post-63400705697603746412012-09-22T07:39:00.000-04:002012-10-24T14:11:55.712-04:00An Unexpected Bump in the Road<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">by Musician 1st Class Kenny Ray Horton</span></i> <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dqnXQzkxBlfEuoX3icP7yJfJn-QUZayDSK3OIuusmOkgVzwHAmSH5pEynymmTpZOluQoimeoLpg0BYd0UuwjweEb00ppk_w7CeyE3vpWWQUntMftblfxW57pnNCfjcbWkEoRWMoAQHwI/s1600/CC+equipment+truck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dqnXQzkxBlfEuoX3icP7yJfJn-QUZayDSK3OIuusmOkgVzwHAmSH5pEynymmTpZOluQoimeoLpg0BYd0UuwjweEb00ppk_w7CeyE3vpWWQUntMftblfxW57pnNCfjcbWkEoRWMoAQHwI/s200/CC+equipment+truck.jpg" width="200" /></a>Day 14 of our tour through the great states of the mid south started like any other tour day. Musician First Class Pat Gulley and I set out in the equipment truck from San Antonio heading for Kingsville, Texas. It was a typical drive day until we hit an unexpected "bump in the road". Just as MU1 Gulley was steering us through the offramp to head to Naval Air Station Kingsville, the engine died. Fortunately, we were able to get to a parking lot away from traffic to safely have a look at the truck. Between the two of us, we can play pretty much any country song you want to hear, but when it comes to fixing a box truck, we don't quite have the wherewithal! We had to call the rental truck company who sent out Juan's Wrecker Service. The tow truck operator saved the show by towing us to the venue where the truck was then worked on by a couple of different companies. We appreciate the fact that Juan and his crew worked furiously to get us to the show on time.<br />
<a name='more'></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzq4dSluO4HD7Z7kDQYl9kJ-LPx0jFfdEhwtD-M4me3YVjxuDWoYdHCOZ0H7Bt_B9QrMyDXLEL76doEPoFlBYrsy1BfQ2XwrDcYCtu56F4yn9hjyhv1NfXtoyXNNo-xjE4WdwYKqPU7gLA/s1600/MU1+Friedman+with+mandolin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzq4dSluO4HD7Z7kDQYl9kJ-LPx0jFfdEhwtD-M4me3YVjxuDWoYdHCOZ0H7Bt_B9QrMyDXLEL76doEPoFlBYrsy1BfQ2XwrDcYCtu56F4yn9hjyhv1NfXtoyXNNo-xjE4WdwYKqPU7gLA/s200/MU1+Friedman+with+mandolin.jpg" width="148" /></a>With a bit of lingering anxiety in the air, we set up our equipment. At one point Musician First Class Joe Friedman had a "freak out" moment when he discovered his guitar had shrunk to an unreasonable size....only to find out he had wondered too far across the stage and started to pick up Chief Musician Pat White's mandolin.<br />
<br />
Despite the earlier hang up, the show went very well thanks in part to the diligence of our tour managers Musicians First Class Tina Catalanatto and Pat Gulley.<br />
<br />
We wanted to extend a big "Thank You!" to the Jones Auditorium staff for allowing us to store our gear in their facility until we received our replacement truck the next day. Additionally, a huge "Thank you!" is in order for all of the folks who came out to hear the show, including Senior Chief Musician (retired) Red Fisher. It is always great to see one of our fantastic fleet musicians whom a couple of Country Current members served with years ago.<br />
<div class="author_info"><h3>About the Author</h3><a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/horton_kenneth.shtml" target="_blank"><b>Musician 1st Class Kenny Ray Horton</b></a> Born and raised in Rocky Comfort, Mo., MU1 Horton joined the Navy Band in 2008. Prior to the Navy Band, he served in Navy Band Great Lakes (2000-2001), Pacific Fleet Band (2005-2007) and Navy Band Mid-South (2007-2008). In addition to his singing, he is the master of ceremonies and contributes original songs and arranges much of Country Current’s repertoire.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259165203661334640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386761167949888197.post-58372896088089075652012-09-18T14:13:00.001-04:002012-09-18T14:13:22.714-04:00Congratulations to our Chief and Sailor of the Quarter!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi66eqd3PO7FWudkhn_plqaWso6d6cGcUi1fu245WwYCXZ16L-Ck00K5PaGZIek_0jr8u4Lg13g6vRviVJTrp7ksYNX5SIAPFay06R6LJmq44G2ne1AcsZRdTFl5j5yp6leTNOvDTgdk5k/s1600/MUC+Greta+Loggins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi66eqd3PO7FWudkhn_plqaWso6d6cGcUi1fu245WwYCXZ16L-Ck00K5PaGZIek_0jr8u4Lg13g6vRviVJTrp7ksYNX5SIAPFay06R6LJmq44G2ne1AcsZRdTFl5j5yp6leTNOvDTgdk5k/s200/MUC+Greta+Loggins.jpg" width="142" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MUC Greta Loggins</td></tr>
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From: Commanding Officer/Leader<br />
To: All Hands<br />
Subj: CHIEF OF THE QUARTER/SAILOR OF THE QUARTER<br />
<br />
1. Chief Musician Greta Loggins and Musician First Class Lera League have been selected as Chief and Sailor of the Quarter, respectively, for the period of April through June 2012.<br />
<br />
2. Chief Loggins is recognized for her exemplary leadership as Assistant Operations Chief.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50YDF-V6lgxQ4GoS0olquQgoeasrsBngORwCX53LrnzCajJdF3oMj9QRrm1QDAn7x46dyh6hlQ8jPzvU0kX0j9Q7Sxgz47yYZPamFBHUZu7GmSs6G_t23XGQL-Z6OwvJGj54zQUCkiPB4/s1600/MU1+Lera+League.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50YDF-V6lgxQ4GoS0olquQgoeasrsBngORwCX53LrnzCajJdF3oMj9QRrm1QDAn7x46dyh6hlQ8jPzvU0kX0j9Q7Sxgz47yYZPamFBHUZu7GmSs6G_t23XGQL-Z6OwvJGj54zQUCkiPB4/s200/MU1+Lera+League.jpg" width="142" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MU1 Lera League</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
3. Petty Officer League is recognized for her outstanding accomplishments as Ceremonial Band Leading Petty Officer, Educational Services Officer, and Concert/Ceremonial Band Administrative Petty Officer.<br />
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4. Chief Musician Andrew Oppenheim and Musician First Class Beth Revell were also nominated by their Unit Leaders for Chief and Sailor of the Quarter, respectively. I commend all of you for your superb performance and dedicated service to Navy Band.<br />
<br />
5. Well Done!<br />
<br />
BRIAN O. WALDEN<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259165203661334640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386761167949888197.post-85483899262513554952012-09-18T13:47:00.001-04:002012-09-18T13:58:49.654-04:00Taps for an American hero<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">by Chief Musician Gunnar Bruning</span></i> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkH8rGUN5NetGcYtbFGLStz4A8NJC5YE8LTscOzqBjvAjdIEEErXZjSgkML5KQE3j1-LpB_4QCkpBvON0etCthpctjGSAPXgo2s1HklzrY30CbgwRepMQ33p-ogwuQm5480lKCrkeNCvyZ/s1600/MUC+Gunnar+Bruning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkH8rGUN5NetGcYtbFGLStz4A8NJC5YE8LTscOzqBjvAjdIEEErXZjSgkML5KQE3j1-LpB_4QCkpBvON0etCthpctjGSAPXgo2s1HklzrY30CbgwRepMQ33p-ogwuQm5480lKCrkeNCvyZ/s320/MUC+Gunnar+Bruning.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chief Gunnar Bruning renders taps for Neil Armstrong <br />
aboard USS Philippine Sea.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I was numb after receiving the phone call informing me I was assigned to be the bugler for the burial at sea of astronaut and U.S. Navy veteran Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon. After the shock wore off, lots of preparation followed, including brushing up on all of the bugle calls, in addition to taps, required in the burial at sea ceremony. I also had to prepare a pristine full-dress white uniform. On Thursday, Sept. 13, the day before the ceremony was to take place, I traveled to Naval Station Mayport in Mayport, Fla., with the Navy Ceremonial Guard on a military flight out of Joint Base Andrews. The aircrew of the C-40A was very excited to be flying us down for such a momentous occasion and we were “wheels up” only 30 minutes after reporting. Sure beats traveling commercial air!<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Upon arrival in Mayport, we headed to USS Philippine Sea (CG 58). We were met by the commanding officer, who escorted us to the wardroom. Capt. Steve Shinego gave us a warm welcome and told us how proud he was that his ship and crew would be part of this historic event. The skipper also impressed upon us how honored he is to command such a great ship and crew. I can only assume USS Philippine Sea was chosen for this mission specifically because of her outstanding reputation. A rehearsal was then conducted on the ship for the burial at sea involving Ceremonial Guard body bearers and firing party, ship’s crew, and me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCAGbPcYaTsOpbB9W-XnEQuCz01Mm7VNxBwgdRPU_7lTNFAsJsipH5NFQn68hlY67NxdWyaUkPXyYOlJFW6Hb1uJ4BXsqSyE2gNIXEKtBbtCF_VhZ84NmPUEurk2Hwk6hKMtFOXtLoo7f/s1600/USS+Philippine+Sea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCAGbPcYaTsOpbB9W-XnEQuCz01Mm7VNxBwgdRPU_7lTNFAsJsipH5NFQn68hlY67NxdWyaUkPXyYOlJFW6Hb1uJ4BXsqSyE2gNIXEKtBbtCF_VhZ84NmPUEurk2Hwk6hKMtFOXtLoo7f/s320/USS+Philippine+Sea.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USS Philippine Sea (CG 58)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The following morning we reported to the ship at 0700 for a 0800 departure. Having never been out to sea before, I jumped at the chance to man the rail for our departure. As we pulled out of the harbor I watched two moored ships render honors to us as we passed. The magnitude of our mission that day and the feeling of sheer power from being underway on a Navy warship came together for me as goose bumps spread over my body.<br />
<br />
We steamed out over the horizon to commit the remains of Neil Armstrong to the sea. The ship stopped and we took our positions on the fantail for the ceremony. It was dignified and truly meaningful for the family as well as the participants. In my 11 years of performing taps at military funerals, I have only been thanked personally by family a handful of times. While I certainly didn’t expect anything, I was touched as Mr. Armstrong’s son and grandson approached me as they exited the ceremony and, in the middle of their grieving, took time to give me a heartfelt thank you.<br />
<br />
The return trip back to the harbor was enjoyable and I was able to relax as the ceremony was complete. After enjoying a delicious lunch provided by the ship’s mess crew and touring a few of the ship’s spaces, I had the pleasure of spending a few moments with the ship’s senior enlisted Sailor, Command Master Chief (SW) Roy Hooper. We arrived back in port around 1230.<br />
<br />
We flew back home that afternoon on another C-40A flight and arrived back at Joint Base Andrews in late afternoon.<br />
<div class="author_info"><h3>About the Author</h3><br />
<a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/bruning_gunnar.shtml" target="_blank"><b>Chief Musician Gunnar Bruning</b></a> A native of Marathon, Wis., Chief Bruning joined the Navy Band in 2001. He earned a Bachelor of Music in trumpet performance from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1999 and a Master of Music from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music in 2001. Bruning has performed "Taps" for numerous high-profile funerals including the interment of President Gerald Ford in Grand Rapids, Mich., in January 2007. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259165203661334640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386761167949888197.post-19146705768310920152012-09-16T08:01:00.001-04:002012-09-16T08:01:54.674-04:00Ensign Fritz "sits in" with the band<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">by Musician 1st Class Jeremy Middleton</span></i> <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3Ev072MjgRfuIbW71NnOcdBBdyRYGO5YIKXnC9D__HqoooPmHFEX_gOiJg0PtHUANhsIYS1b9aNUXeSMDqArqU34yQTR0qbfJzUM1IlWUm5Z2BhMeqmaxM4Zetho216RGkP55SGtqx4d/s1600/Country+Current+tour+in+Bryan+TX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3Ev072MjgRfuIbW71NnOcdBBdyRYGO5YIKXnC9D__HqoooPmHFEX_gOiJg0PtHUANhsIYS1b9aNUXeSMDqArqU34yQTR0qbfJzUM1IlWUm5Z2BhMeqmaxM4Zetho216RGkP55SGtqx4d/s200/Country+Current+tour+in+Bryan+TX.jpg" width="149" /></a>Three cheers for Country Current tour manager Musician 1st Class Pat Gulley and the conclusion of his portion of Country Current's 2012 National Tour! MU1 Gulley planned all the logistics, from hotels and travel to concert publicity for eight solid concerts. So far, the tour has been a great success because of MU1 Gulley's professionalism and attention to detail. The next nine are all mine - Texas and Oklahoma, here we come.<br />
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Last night's show brought us to the heart of Aggieland! Directly adjacent to College Station, Texas, home of Texas A&M University, we played our show to an enthusiastic crowd at the Palace Theatre in Bryan, Texas.<br />
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Show highlights:<br />
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U.S. Navy Band Specialty Groups Department Head <a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/fritz_gregory.shtml">Ensign Gregory Fritz</a> made a flawless debut as guest drummer for Country Current on Blake Shelton's "Sunny In Seattle", earning praise from city officials in attendance who "appreciated an officer who kept his chops up!" <br />
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During a western swing number, "Swing Like That", children danced in the aisles, spinning and twirling their way through the tune.<br />
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At the invitation of a local resident, some of us visited the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial and Veterans Park, which displays a beam from the World Trade Center.<br />
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Today brings us to Austin, Texas where we'll play at the Texas State History Museum. Country Current sound engineer MU1 Kenny McLaughlin hails from this great town. Check in tomorrow for a writeup of a hometown show!<br />
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About the Author</h3>
<a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/middleton_jeremy.shtml" target="_blank"><b>Musician 1st Class Jeremy Middleton</b></a> A native of Clarksville, Tenn., MU1 Middleton joined the Navy Band in December 2008. Prior to his appointment to the Navy Band he was a five-year veteran of the Navy music program, and a 10-year veteran of the Army bands program. As a member of the Navy music program he served as unit leader for Navy Band Southeast’s contemporary music ensemble “Pride”, and during his Army tenure he served proudly in Operation Iraqi Freedom as a member of the world-renowned 101st Airborne Division (AASLT) Band.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259165203661334640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386761167949888197.post-85302562116445841582012-09-15T11:20:00.001-04:002012-09-20T14:19:08.821-04:00A Special Audience in Alexandria, LA<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">by MU1 Tina Catalanotto</span></i> <br />
Country Current performed the seventh concert of our 2012 concert tour yesterday evening in Alexandria, LA. Throughout the first week of our tour audiences have shown nothing but graciousness, but last night's audience was particularly appreciative and enthusiastic. Among last night's audience members were 60 special needs students, all of whom were enraptured and inspired by our performance. It touched my heart to look out and watch these children light up, dance and smile throughout the program. To top off the evening, the wonderful officers of the Alexandria Police Department escorted the Country Current back to our hotel after the performance. I have had a great time touring my home state throughout the last couple of days, and I've been pleasantly reminded that southern hospitality still exists in Louisiana. Now, on to the great of the state of Texas! <br />
<div class="author_info"><h3>About the Author</h3><a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/catalanotto_christina.shtml" target="_blank"><b>MU1 Tina Catalanotto</b></a> Musician 1st Class Tina Catalanotto, a native of Slidell, La., joined the Navy Band in January 2007. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in jazz studies from the University of New Orleans where her teachers included Johnny Vidacovich, Ricky Sebastian, and Jason Marsalis. In addition to her performance duties, Catalanotto also serves as a Navy Band assistant photographer and tour operations manager for Country Current. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259165203661334640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386761167949888197.post-84648189490706048392012-09-13T08:15:00.002-04:002012-09-16T08:05:02.637-04:00Flying on downtime<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">by Musician 1st Class Kenny Ray Horton</span></i> <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlf8ANkRxynXJcHIRNNx0bqls4KDYhQo1-zAwsAgT-Vw8Mt1gJQ_wOG2ixw013x0xQn0VQPfpbSX8ksJHib4AIw-sSAFZaNZKKF-ghx91f75-eakOVXCURcCgvtnzwNvAWFSUcNw2ty81B/s1600/flightover+Slidell1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlf8ANkRxynXJcHIRNNx0bqls4KDYhQo1-zAwsAgT-Vw8Mt1gJQ_wOG2ixw013x0xQn0VQPfpbSX8ksJHib4AIw-sSAFZaNZKKF-ghx91f75-eakOVXCURcCgvtnzwNvAWFSUcNw2ty81B/s200/flightover+Slidell1.jpg" width="200" /></a>After five days of concerts, Country Current had a day to rest in Slidell, La. These "maintenance days" are typically used for changing strings/drum heads, fixing gear, and washing laundry. Additionally, the day provides the band with some downtime so we can get out and see a few things.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC780PaZwDdi2b66JAe4X_7VGDyeQ_l1vCb3r60tsSca8-HR20z4u4mP5mT-Eug6EpW6eiaWDTHUwKRasKP-T9tRsZ6xeLSsi2PWD1ax7LHLIbcNr5Yn_l4whSGiBs6trDpuB2G0nHGX7y/s1600/flightover+Slidell2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC780PaZwDdi2b66JAe4X_7VGDyeQ_l1vCb3r60tsSca8-HR20z4u4mP5mT-Eug6EpW6eiaWDTHUwKRasKP-T9tRsZ6xeLSsi2PWD1ax7LHLIbcNr5Yn_l4whSGiBs6trDpuB2G0nHGX7y/s200/flightover+Slidell2.jpg" width="149" /></a>Some of the band members headed to "The Big Easy" for food and fun, while some golfed a bit. I chose to go flying with great friend and fellow Navy bandsman, Musician 1st Class JR Kraftchak. JR and I served five years together when we were stationed at <a href="http://www1.netc.navy.mil/nstc/navyband/index.html">U.S. Navy Band Great Lakes</a> from 2000 to 2005. Recently, JR has been studying flight and obtaining certificates on his way to becoming a Certified Flight Instructor. We took an evening flight to Gulfport, Miss. to have dinner and catch up. It is always great to see old friends doing well and chasing dreams. I took these photos of some great views over Slidell and on our approach to the Gulfport airport.<br />
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On Tuesday we have our 9/11 show in Slidell, which is our drummer, MU1 Tina Catalanotto's hometown. It is always great to play for family and it will be a special night for a show.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9DhKnjKLoeUe05Df3LsISDWJTdpL9ORiXMDQaqap4Ae2sEbYCzXqB7y-0_k9hJWx4YHq7HzJbsto-aCWDfQniEgu4AwQTb4A6Ouf7YHW3YArHt3JqvmhqJCAkk_m8r-fjaZx22HuT8D_/s1600/Gulfport+approach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9DhKnjKLoeUe05Df3LsISDWJTdpL9ORiXMDQaqap4Ae2sEbYCzXqB7y-0_k9hJWx4YHq7HzJbsto-aCWDfQniEgu4AwQTb4A6Ouf7YHW3YArHt3JqvmhqJCAkk_m8r-fjaZx22HuT8D_/s200/Gulfport+approach.jpg" width="200" /></a>As we continue our tour, the anniversary of such a tragedy lives in our minds. Honoring the memory of those lost in the attack and those who have been lost in the fight since then is our duty and privilege.<br />
<div class="author_info"><h3>About the Author</h3><a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/horton_kenneth.shtml" target="_blank"><b>Musician 1st Class Kenny Ray Horton</b></a> Born and raised in Rocky Comfort, Mo., MU1 Horton joined the Navy Band in 2008. Prior to the Navy Band, he served in Navy Band Great Lakes (2000-2001), Pacific Fleet Band (2005-2007) and Navy Band Mid-South (2007-2008). In addition to his singing, he is the master of ceremonies and contributes original songs and arranges much of Country Current’s repertoire.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259165203661334640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386761167949888197.post-47950040067122840742012-09-13T06:36:00.000-04:002012-09-16T08:04:19.490-04:00Mother Nature "strikes" again!<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">by Musician 1st Class Kenny Ray Horton</span></i> <br />
Friday, Sept. 7th brought us from Alma, Ark. to Conway with a performance at the University of Central Arkansas. Weather might continue to be a theme in these tour blog posts as once again Mother Nature ended up stealing a little bit of the spotlight, but not until we had our time!<br />
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The audience of 650 people braved the high winds, lighting, and hail to come enjoy our show. While the storm raged outside, we played to this exceptional crowd. No sooner had we kicked off the intro to our last song of the night, than lightning struck nearby taking out power to the venue.<br />
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Folks still came up to tell us how they enjoyed the show and thanked us for coming to town. Many stated that they knew of a lot of people who wanted to come, but feared the weather.<br />
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It was still a great show with wonderful, patriotic people. Thanks to all who braved the weather and helped make Country Current's National Tour a continuing success!<br />
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Even indoors Mother Nature can get in on the show.<br />
<div class="author_info"><h3>About the Author</h3><a href="http://www.navyband.navy.mil/horton_kenneth.shtml" target="_blank"><b>Musician 1st Class Kenny Ray Horton</b></a> Born and raised in Rocky Comfort, Mo., MU1 Horton joined the Navy Band in 2008. Prior to the Navy Band, he served in Navy Band Great Lakes (2000-2001), Pacific Fleet Band (2005-2007) and Navy Band Mid-South (2007-2008). In addition to his singing, he is the master of ceremonies and contributes original songs and arranges much of Country Current’s repertoire.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259165203661334640noreply@blogger.com0