NOT everybody gets to serve their country or travel the world, let alone do both and play some music while they’re at it. Well, for members of the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet Band, that’s just part of their job description.

With the aim of reaching out to people across the globe and showing a different side of the US Navy, the Seventh Fleet Band engages people through music. They perform for the military, universities, schools, communities and take part in joint performances with other military bands.

Joshua Haney has been with the band for over a year now, and he was part of the crew that returned to Kuala Lumpur on a port visit by the USS Blue Ridge recently.

“I joined the band to seek adventure and play music,” said the 21-year-old electric bassist.

The band performed at Central Market, KL, and 1Utama Shopping Centre in Petaling Jaya last week.

US Navy’s Seventh Fleet Band performing at 1Utama Shopping Centre last week.

Now, while the band isn’t your average Linkin Park or No Doubt, they do perform excellent ceremonial, contemporary New Orleans and traditional American Dixieland type of music. The band also does brassy arrangements of popular music, so don’t be surprised to hear them do a Michael Jackson number once in a while.

“This is my first tour and it’s been simply amazing. I get to see many places and meet people,” said Danielle Clark, 19, who plays the flute, piccolo and baritone saxophone.

She signed up to carry on her family’s long tradition of playing for the military band.

The 35-member band is sub-divided into various performing units and their’s currently operates from Yokosuka, Japan.

Danielle Clark, 19, plays the flute, piccolo and baritone saxophone. She joined the US Navy's Seventh Fleet Band to carry out her family’s long tradition and has been with the band for a year already.

James Caliva, 22, has been with the band for four years, and the drummer is used to being away from his family for long stretches. Sometimes they have to be out on a tour that could take at least two months.

“I stay in touch through e-mails and I use the travelling to buy gifts to send home.” The trio is enjoying and appreciating all the time they get to spend as part of the band.

“They feed you three meals a day, you get a bed to sleep on, you float around, meet people and go places. It’s pretty easy,” says Josh.

You can watch the performance of the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet Band at 1Utama Shopping Centre on our website. Just log on to rage.com.my to see the band in action.