The 1st Armored Division band also know as the “Sun City Brass Band,” performed for Afghan evacuees at Fort Bliss’ Doña Ana Complex in support of Operation Allies Welcome. Sgt. Andres Avila and Cpl. Derrick Smith are both army musicians assigned to the First Armored Division Band, and they talk us through the sights and sounds of the band’s first performance for the Afghan guests.

Transcript

The name of our band is the Sun City Brass Band with the 1 80 Ben. And we’re basically a brass band that does pop music. Some just ordinary traditional brass band. We’re just kind of seeing, you know where the biggest crowds are. And you know, we’re just here to sort of provide support and morale for not only the troops here, but for our guests were happy to be out here. Normally we do stuff morale troops on base, but we’re happy to be here for operation A A. W. Uh the style of music it varies. It can go from traditional new Orleans brass band style music to uh, what we call hip hop style brass band where we do even covers of songs from hip hop to funk. Uh, even sometimes country, this is what we do as musicians as army advancement. We do community outreach. We connected the community and connect with individuals around the world. They would crowd around, they clapped the chair, they dance. They would have a very good time and to know that music is a universal language that connects every single human being on earth no matter who you are. It’s a wonderful feeling American music and some of the pop, you know, it’s kind of, I guess the intent is to show them like, hey, you know, welcome to America. You know, and some of them may be in shock. Some of them might appreciate it. Some I already know some of these songs and they might have heard them. Um, so yeah, just kind of a mix of both, both reactions with us having come out here and perform and seeing so many smiles, seeing so many chairs, so many individuals clapping, seeing so much cheering. It’s really lifted the spirit and the morale of everybody here, Even the soldiers that are that are here working, definitely has really helped lift our spirits and them around. Mhm.