As the Navy’s premier jazz ensemble celebrates their 50th anniversary on a national tour, the U.S. Navy Band Commodores spotlights Master Chief Musician Matt Neff from Hollidaysburg, Pa., and Senior Chief Musician Steve Williams from Pensacola, Fla., on their final tour before retiring from active duty service after a combined 53 years of naval service, and introduces Musician 1st Class David Kaprall from Austin, Tx., the newest member of the Commodores.
Transcript
I’m Master Chief Musician Matt Neff. I’ve been with the United States Navy Band since 1992. I served with Concert Band for 17 years before I made the switch over to the Commodores and so, for the last 10 years, I’ve been bass trombonist in the United States Navy Band Commodores.
I’m Senior Chief Steve Williams and this is my final tour with the Navy Band Commodores after 26 years. I’m retiring from the Navy but not music, of course we’ll miss this very much, it’s been a great experience and a true privilege.
My name is Musician 1st Class David Kapral, doing my first tour with the U.S. Navy Band Commodores. I’ve never been in a better band before. It just feels good to improvise in this group. Even though I’m new to the Navy, I’ve really enjoyed how this tour has shown me that Navy music can bring people together from all across the country.
I’ve really enjoyed this as my last tour with the Commodores and with the United States Navy Band. Many shows will have a veteran or even a citizen come up after the show and say thank you for your service. You know, when I finally realized our role in representing all the men and the women in the United States Navy, it just occurred to me, when they thank me their thanking all of us and I think that’s something incredibly special and that’s something I’ll always remember.