July august2017

July/August 2017 w Volume 38 Number 4

The B-1 Band Cruisers Tour Schedule Spotlight on MU1 Manuel Pelayo de Gรณngora

A Message from the Commanding Officer

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nother steamy summer is underway here in Washington, D.C., and with that comes our many outdoor performances in a variety of venues.

These concerts provide an opportunity to connect with thousands of audience members from our local area and those visiting the nation’s capital for the first time. There is something truly special about listening to live music outdoors as the sun is setting.

fanfare Volume 38 Number 4 Commanding Officer

Capt. Kenneth C. Collins Public Affairs Officer CHIEF MUSICIAN

Adam K. Grimm

Editorial Staff SENIOR CHIEF MUSICIAN

Melissa D. Bishop MUSICIAN 1ST CLASS

Photographers SENIOR CHIEF MUSICIAN

Stephen W. Hassay CHIEF MUSICIAN

Brian P. Bowman MUSICIAN 1ST CLASS

David B. Aspinwall

Sarah F. Blecker

MUSICIAN 1ST CLASS

Layout and Design SENIOR CHIEF MUSICIAN

MUSICIAN 1ST CLASS

Stephen W. Hassay MUSICIAN 1ST CLASS

Adrienne W. Moore

Jon C. Barnes

On May 27, I had the privilege of attending the dedication ceremony for a historical marker placed in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, honoring the men who served in the Navy’s B-1 Band. Their remarkable story is one of dedication to duty and perseverance through the challenges brought on by times of racial unrest in the early 1940s as both the country and the Navy began the decades-long work of integration. This edition of Fanfare contains an article about their 75th anniversary. We shine the Spotlight on one of our newest members, Musician 1st Class Manuel Pelayo de Góngora, the saxophonist for the Cruisers, and we pay tribute to WWII hero and retired Chief Musician Leonard Jung who passed away last December. You will also find a listing of our summer concerts and the Cruisers national tour performances.

They leave on Aug. 5 for a 16-day tour to Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Tennessee.

If you have not yet been able to attend a Concert on the Avenue at the Navy Memorial this summer, you still have time to catch one of the two remaining shows on July 25 or Aug. 1. As always, we’d love to see you at one of our concerts, whether here in Washington or while we’re on the road touring. Please stop by and say hello.

We thank you for your continued support of the U.S. Navy Band.

Lauren R. Cook

MUSICIAN 1ST CLASS

Brittany L. Foster

MUSICIAN 1ST CLASS

David A. Smith

fanfare is a bi-monthly magazine published by the U.S. Navy Band public affairs staff.

Front Cover: WASHINGTON (Jun. 6, 2016) Musician 1st Class Kristine Hsia, vocalist with the United States Navy Band Commodores, sings the national anthem at an evening concert on the west steps of the U.S. Capitol. (U. S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Musician Stephen HassayReleased)

COUNTRY CURRENT

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Kenneth C. Collins, Captain, USN Commanding Officer

I’m writing to compliment the band “Country Current” for their great performance this past Saturday…My wife, 3 year old son, and myself attended and loved every minute of their performance…The band was professional, entertaining, and extremely talented. It was easily on par with any other professional bluegrass show we’ve attended and made even better knowing it was comprised entirely of US servicemen and women…

- James, McLean, Va.

The B-1 Band’s 75th Anniversary

by Senior Chief Musician Melissa Bishop

T

he historical marker in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, reads, “Navy B-1 Band: In May 1942 a group of 44 African American musicians broke U.S. Navy’s color barrier, enlisting at general rank.” The marker was unveiled on Saturday, May 27, 2017, on the 75th anniversary of the band’s official formation, with two of the four living members of the B-1 Band in attendance: Simeon Holloway and Calvin Morrow. Also in attendance was Capt. Kenneth Collins, commanding officer of the U.S. Navy Band, who recognized the great service of these 44 men while speaking of their important role in integrating the modern Navy.

The B-1 Band’s Cloudbusters dance band (photo courtesy of North Carolina Collection Photographic Archives, As the United States entered World Wilson Library, UNC-CH) comprised of some of the most talented musicians in War II in 1942, President Franklin the state, most of whom came from North Carolina D. Roosevelt opened up all general Navy rates to A&T University. They were first stationed in Chapel African-Americans. Until then, they had mainly Hill, North Carolina, and later in Pearl Harbor, been restricted to serving as messmen and steward’s Hawaii. mates.

As the first African-Americans to enlist in the Roosevelt’s modern, post-1940 Navy, not only did the members action led to of the B-1 Band have to prove themselves as excellent the formation musicians and impeccable Sailors, but they also had of several to navigate the Jim Crow South during a time of new bands racial unrest. This they did with honor and dignity. attached to In a letter congratulating Holloway and Morrow pre-flight on the occasion of the installation of the historical training marker, Collins wrote, “Your legacy is alive and well, schools that reflected in the diverse Navy that defends our nation were made today. Your initiative, integrity and toughness laid up solely the groundwork for an inclusive and cohesive naval of Africanforce that values merit and mission accomplishment Americans. above all else. Your historical actions speak not only The first of to your personal strength and perseverance, but these was also to the power of music. You demonstrated how the B-1 Band, music could be used as a tool for crossing cultural organized in boundaries and revealing the things that make us Greensboro, human.”

North On Aug. 4-6, surviving Carolina, Continued on page 6 members of the B-1 Band will which was

COUNTRY CURRENT

I just saw your country bluegrass ensemble Country Current at the Carroll Arts Center in Westminster, Maryland. It is one if not the best concert I’ve been to in my life. What a group of magnificent musicians! They are a great credit to the Navy and to America.

Thank you so much for continuing such talented individuals in this type of music.

- Ted, Westminster, Md.

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Performance Schedule All concerts are FREE and open to the public. Tickets or reservations are not required unless noted (*). Please note that all concert information is accurate at time of publication, though subject to change due to weather and other conditions. For inclement weather announcements, please call 202-433-2525 or visit www.twitter.com/usnavyband. For the most up-to-date information, please check our online performance calendar at: www.navyband.navy.mil

JULY

SEA CHANTERS

TUESDAY, JULY 4, 11 A.M.

Independence Day Organ Recital Washington National Cathedral 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW Washington, D.C.

THURSDAY, JULY 20, 7 P.M. War Memorial Park N. Tennessee Ave. Martinsburg, W.Va.

THURSDAY, JULY 27, 7 P.M. Harris Pavilion 9201 Center St. Manassas, Va.

COMMODORES

SATURDAY, JULY 1, 7 P.M.

Black Rock Center for the Arts 12901 Town Commons Drive Germantown, Md.

TUESDAY, JULY 4, 6 P.M. Baltimore Inner Harbor 201 E. Pratt St. Baltimore, Md.

SUNDAY, JULY 9, 6 P.M.

Belmont Bay Marina Pavilion 570 Harbor Side St. Woodbridge, Va.

THURSDAY, JULY 13, 7:30 P.M. Shenandoah University Armstrong Concert Hall 702 University Drive Winchester, Va.

SATURDAY, JULY 15, 6 P.M. Walker Pavilion 11 Spring Farm Drive Lovettsville, Va.

COMMODORES

FRIDAY, JULY 21, 6:15 P.M.

SUNDAY, JULY 23, 7 P.M.

COUNTRY CURRENT

SATURDAY, JULY 29, 7 P.M.

Hagerstown Community College Alumni Ampitheater 11400 Robinwood Drive Hagerstown, Md.

SUNDAY, JULY 2, 7 P.M. Canal Basin Park 1 Canal Basin Park Hollidaysburg, Pa.

SUNDAY, JULY 9, 6 P.M.

Bladensburg Waterfront Park 4601 Annapolis Road Bladensburg, Md.

FRIDAY, JULY 14, 8 P.M.

Rehoboth Beach Bandstand 1 Rehoboth Ave. Rehoboth Beach, Del.

SATURDAY, JULY 15, 7:30 P.M. Bethany Beach Bandstand 99 Garfield Parkway Bethany Beach, Del.

COUNTRY CURRENT BLUEGRASS

THURSDAY, JULY 20, 12 P.M., 1 P.M., 2 P.M.

National Air and Space Museum Independence Ave. at 6th St. Washington, D.C.

SUNDAY, JULY 23, 6 P.M.

South Valley Park 18850 Montgomery Valley Ave. Montgomery Village, Md.

CRUISERS

THURSDAY, JULY 20, 7 P.M. Chambersburg Memorial Park 1 Memorial Drive Chambersburg, Pa.

Springettsbury Township Park Amphitheater 1501 Mt. Zion Road York, Pa. Black Rock Center for the Arts 12901 Town Commons Drive Germantown, Md.

SAXOPHONE QUARTET SATURDAY, JULY 1, 2 P.M. Glen Burnie Regional Library 1010 Eastway Glen Burnie, Md.

AUGUST

CEREMONIAL BAND SATURDAY, AUG. 5, 6 P.M. Fort McHenry Tattoo 2400 E. Fort Ave. Baltimore, Md.

SEA CHANTERS

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 2, 7 P.M.

National Museum of the Marine Corps 18900 Jefferson Davis Highway Triangle, Va.

FRIDAY, AUG. 4, 6:30 P.M. Vienna Town Green 144 Maple Ave. E. Vienna, Va.

SATURDAY, AUG. 12, 8 P.M. Rehoboth Beach Bandstand 1 Rehoboth Ave. Rehoboth Beach, Del.

TUESDAY, AUG. 15, 7 P.M. Stango Park 114 E. Third St. Lewes, Del.

I hope this email finds you well. I wanted you to know how much I enjoyed the concert tonight. I especially enjoyed the tribute to all the veterans. I am a Navy veteran myself, so it was special. Thank you for a nice evening.

- Ken, Bridgeville, Del.

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SATURDAY, AUG. 19, 8 P.M.

THURSDAY, AUG. 17, 7 P.M.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 23, 7 P.M.

SATURDAY, AUG. 19, 7 P.M.

Caroline Summerfest 109 Market St. Denton, Md.

Milton Memorial Park Union and Chandler streets Milton, Del.

SUNDAY, AUG. 27, 7 P.M. Allen Pond Park 3330 Northview Drive Bowie, Md.

COMMODORES

THURSDAY, AUG. 10, 5:30 P.M.

Fairfax County Government Center 12000 Government Center Parkway Fairfax, Va.

SATURDAY, AUG. 12, 7:30 P.M. Reston Town Center 11900 Market St. Reston, Va.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 16, 7 P.M.

National Museum of the Marine Corps 18900 Jefferson Davis Highway Triangle, Va.

2017 Summer Concert Series

Market Square 907 Princess Anne St. Fredericksburg, Va.

Mondays, 8 p.m.

U.S. Capitol West Steps

Avalon Theatre 40 E. Dover St. Easton, Md.

JULY 10 - Commodores 17 - Commodores 31 - Concert Band

COUNTRY CURRENT

SUNDAY, AUG. 13, 6:30 P.M.

AUGUST 14 - Concert Band 21 - Concert Band 28 - Concert Band

Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m.

U.S. Navy Memorial JULY 11 - Country Current 18 - Country Current 25 - Concert on the Avenue

Bellevue State Park 800 Carr Road Wilmington, Del.

SATURDAY, AUG. 26, 7 P.M. Music at the Marina Leesylvania State Park 2001 Daniel Ludwig Drive Woodbridge, Va.

TUESDAY, AUG. 29, 7 P.M. Heritage Shores 1 Heritage Shores Circle Bridgeville, Del.

CRUISERS

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 30, 7 P.M. Milton Memorial Park Union and Chandler streets Milton, Del.

Senior Enlisted of the Quarter January - March 2017 Chief Musician Dawn Henry

Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal Chief Musician Christina Bayes Chief Musician Michael Curtis Chief Musician Christian Johanson Musician 1st Class Colin Wise Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal Musician 1st Class Joseph Friedman Musician 1st Class Kevin McDonald Musician 1st Class Manuel Pelayo de Góngora Musician 1st Class Maia Rodriguez Musician 1st Class David Smith

AUGUST 1 - Concert on the Avenue 15 - Concert Band 22 - Concert on the Avenue 29 - Concert Band

Sailor of the Quarter January - March 2017 Musician 1st Class Adam Whitman

Congratulations to Senior Chief Musician Adam Tyler, unit leader of the Sea Chanters chorus and Senior Chief Musician Courtney Williams, concert moderator, on the occasion of their advancement to senior chief petty officer.

Farewell to...Lt. Luslaida Barbosa, Concert/Ceremonial department head, who departs after three years to report as Director, Navy Band Southeast, and to comptroller Stephanie Rowland, who leaves after two and a half years with the Navy Band. Welcome aboard to...Musicians 1st Class Benjamin Hauser, trumpeter with the Concert/Ceremonial Band, and Steven Holloway, trombonist with the Concert/ Ceremonial Band.

COMMODORES

Once again, the Navy Commodores amazed and enchanted us last night…From start to finish, your big band delivered a performance of superlatives, combining brilliant musicianship and brilliant arrangements for an unforgettable evening. It’s great to see the Commodores keeping the tradition of classic jazz alive, while also exploring the genre’s frontiers…The Commodores are a credit to the United States. We hope you return to Frederick soon.

- Matthew and Brenda, Frederick, Md.

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The B-1 Band’s 75th Anniversary cont’d be in Washington, D.C., for a reunion marking their 75th anniversary. We at the Navy Band look forward to having the opportunity to thank these shipmates for their dedicated service, and to learn a bit more about the men behind this important part of naval history. ff U.S. Navy Band Commanding Officer Capt. Kenneth Collins and Master Chief Musician Dereck Werner, detailer for Fleet Band Activities, stand with Simeon Holloway and Calvin Morrow, two of the four surviving members of the B-1 Navy Band. (photo courtesy of Eddie Price)

CRUISERS NATIONAL TOUR

The cruisers depart on August 5 for a tour of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Tennessee.

Following is a list of performances.

SATURDAY, AUG. 5, 6 P.M. Veterans Park College Station, Texas SUNDAY, AUG. 6, 3 P.M. The Grand 1894 Opera House Galveston, Texas MONDAY, AUG. 7, 6 P.M. Lonestar College Performing Arts Center Tomball, Texas TUESDAY, AUG. 8, 7 P.M. Match Midtown Arts Center Houston, Texas WEDNESDAY, AUG. 9, 6 P.M. Cowan Creek Amphitheater Georgetown, Texas FRIDAY, AUG. 11, 6 P.M. Sundance Square Ft. Worth, Texas

SEA CHANTERS

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SATURDAY, AUG. 12, 1 P.M. Dallas Arboretum Dallas, Texas SUNDAY, AUG. 13, 4 P.M. Wichita Theatre Wichita Falls, Texas MONDAY, AUG. 14, 7:30 P.M. Oklahoma City Community College Oklahoma, Ark. TUESDAY, AUG. 15, 7 P.M. Guthrie Green Amphitheater Tulsa, Okla.

THURSDAY, AUG. 17, 7 P.M. Gulley Park Fayetteville, Ark. FRIDAY, AUG. 18, 7 P.M. Alma Performing Arts Center Alma, Ark. SATURDAY, AUG. 19, 7 P.M. First Security Amphitheater Little Rock, Ark. SUNDAY, AUG. 20, 5 P.M. Handy Park Memphis, Tenn.

FOURTH OF JULY CONCERT Sylvan Theater (on the south lawn of the Washington Monument) featuring Concert Band, Sea Chanters, Cruisers and Country Current

MUSIC BEGINS AT 6 P.M.

Navy Band Alumni Concert Monday, Aug. 7, 7:30 p.m.

U.S. Navy Memorial 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, D.C. Conductors include retired Capts. Ralph Gambone and George Thompson.

It was fantastic, uplifting, riveting, on key, diversified, delightful, quality, and definitely fun filled!!! That’s what the performance was like…I expect a lot from the Military Bands and Choruses and I can honestly say that the Sea Chanters exceeded all expectations last night…The United States military is truly brighter and braver than any other. God Bless the U.S.A.!! Thanks for your part in helping to keep us safe.

- Rosemary, Omaha, Neb.

Spotlight on...

Musician 1st Class Manuel Pelayo de Góngora

by Musician 1st Class Sarah Blecker

Musician 1st Class Pelayo de Góngora joined the Cruisers popular music group as a saxophonist in January 2017. With prior service in several Navy fleet bands, as well as time in the Army, we wanted to learn more about one of our newest members.

Tell us a bit about your musical background.

I was born in Holguin, Cuba, where I started my musical studies at the age of 10. When I was 18 years old, I moved to the capital city, Havana, where I had the opportunity to join several bands as a professional saxophonist. One of the most important bands that contributed to my development and growth as a jazz and Cuban musician was “Klimax,” led by the remarkable Cuban percussionist and composer, Gerardo Piloto. As a member of this band I started to trace a path in my musical career, touring Europe at multiple festivals and venues, and sharing the stage with the most important figures of the jazz world. I have played at the North Sea Jazz Fest in Holland, Vienna Jazz Fest, Nice Jazz Festival, New Morning, Perpignan Jazz Festival, Jazz Fort- Medoc 97, Millau Jazz in France, Jazzhaus in Germany, Roskilde Festival in Denmark, Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and Barbican Centre in England. I have also been fortunate to play at the Blue Note in Paris and at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in the United Kingdom.

In 2000 I moved to Puerto Rico to continue my musical career, this time exploring new genres and instruments. I performed on saxophone, flute and clarinet in different bands such as Quique Talavera, San Juan-Habana, Cesar Concepción, Juan Vélez, Elias López, Cultura Profética, Tego Calderón, León de Judá, Chucho Avellanet, Melina León, Tito el Bambino and others. I also participated in Olga Tañón’s musical, touring the United States and Caracas in 2003, playing with Humberto Ramirez’s band at the Heineken Jazz Fest in 2003 and was a member of Tito de Gracia’s band “Naoka Jam” at the Heineken Jazz Fest in 2004.

I have had the pleasure to play with Paquito de Rivera, Dave Valentin, Giovanni Hidalgo and Chick Corea among others, and I have performed on more than 15 recordings.

What led you to join the U.S. Navy?

The Navy Musician 1st Class Manuel Pelayo de Góngora gave me the opportunity to live my passion, and, at the same time, to serve others through the gift of music. I feel proud to be part of this organization. It [has exceeded] all my expectations.

What are some highlights of your naval career thus far?

Prior to the Navy, I served in the Army from 20092011. I joined the Navy in 2012 and served two years with the U.S. Fleet Forces Band in Norfolk, Virginia, and two years with the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band in Honolulu, Hawaii, before reporting to the Navy Band here in Washington. One highlight of my career was my experience with the Pacific Fleet Band during Pacific Partnership 2015, traveling to different Pacific Islands on a humanitarian mission. It was amazing to help and bring a little happiness to the people in need on those islands. Through that mission I could live another side of the Navy, a beautiful side that makes me feel proud of this organization.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I really enjoy playing and listening to music, even in my free time. I love to play all genres and styles. It is also important for me to spend time with my family – to go hiking, biking and watching movies together. ff

SEA CHANTERS

It was fantastic, uplifting, riveting, on key, diversified, delightful, quality, and definitely fun filled!!! That’s what the performance was like.I expect a lot from the Military Bands and Choruses and I can honestly say that the Sea Chanters exceeded all expectations last night.The United States military is truly brighter and braver than any other. God Bless the U.S.A.!! Thanks for your part in helping to keep us safe.

- Rosemary (Omaha, Neb.)

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Chief Musician Leonard Jung, 1919 - 2016 Navy Music mourns the passing of retired Chief Musician Leonard Jung, who passed away in Bowie, Maryland, Dec. 5, 2016. Born on Nov. 20, 1919, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, he attended St. Cloud Teachers’ College before joining the Navy in 1941. In November 1942, while in the Pacific, his ship USS Northampton (CA 26) was sunk by the Japanese and Jung saved another Sailor’s life, an act which earned him a commendation letter from Adm. William “Bull” Halsey, commander south pacific area.

After a subsequent assignment to the battleship USS New Jersey (BB 62), Jung was later transferred to the U.S. Navy Band where he served as a tuba instrumentalist until his retirement in 1962. Not only was he a world-class musician and World War II hero, he was a trap-shooting champion, piano tuner and an avid Washington-area sports fan, known for his keen sense of humor. Jung is survived by his wife Rose Marie, their seven children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

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Contact Information: Public Affairs Office The United States Navy Band 617 Warrington Ave. SE Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5054 202-433-4777 (office) 202-433-3366 (information)

Visit us on the Web at www.navyband.navy.mil www.facebook.com/usnavyband www.twitter.com/usnavyband to comment on this issue of fanfare, e-mail us at navyband.comments@navy.mil