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CENTAF Band performs unscheduled concert at Bagram

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Craig Seals
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  The CENTAF Band held an impromptu performance at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan when their travel through country was delayed June 19.

With the assistance of the 455th Expeditionary Services Squadron, the band was able to put together an "open mic" night in the recreation tent at Camp Cunningham.

"We had about five hours notice to get this thing set up," said Master Sgt. Steve Grim, 455th ESVS flight chief. "This is what the recreation center is for. We had a great turnout."

The show started at 7 p.m. and opened with a few dedications to the audience. After that, the band changed it up with some swing and latin music followed by more contemporary songs such as Jimmy Buffet's "Margaritaville."

Audience participation was encouraged as Airmen played instruments along with the band.

"This is what it's all about," said Maj. Chad Steffey, CENTAF Band troop commander and percussion player. "It's about interacting with the deployed Airmen and getting their story to the folks back home."

Music from the evening's concert ranged from jazz to salsa and from country to disco. Audience members were encouraged to sing along and some were even brought up to sing with the band during several songs.

At one point in the performance, the band switched gears and cleared the floor to make room for dancers. During the salsa performance, Airmen who had been taking salsa lessons took to the dance floor to practice their moves.

At another point in the band's performance, Master Sgt. Scott Gunn, CENTAF Band tenor saxophone and bagpipe player, performed several fast paced bagpipe-centric tunes with rousing results.

Throughout the evening's entertainment, the CENTAF Band's music director, as well as the emcee for the evening, Staff Sgt. Marcel Marchetti kept the audience entertained between songs with backgrounds of the different members of the band.

The CENTAF Band consists of three vocalists, one trumpet player, one trombone player, one tenor saxophone player, two guitarists, one keyboarder, one bass player, and a bagpipe player.

The CENTAF Band is assigned to the Combined Air Operations Center in Southwest Asia and is touring all parts of the areas of responsibilities.

"This is the first time we've had a fully formed band assigned to the CAOC," said Maj. Steffey. "We've been on tour for about five days and we are just getting started on the Afghanistan portion of the tour."

The band plans to play at locations throughout Afghanistan. "As security allows, we'll play at the Forward Operating Bases, Provincial Reconstruction Teams and even schools," said the major.

Even though the band's short visit here was not on their tour schedule, they will be coming back through Bagram again. They plan to perform in the Army's services tent at four corners the evening of July 3.

The CENTAF Band is a bridge-building tool aimed at fostering positive relations between nations. "We are a non-kinetic weapon system," said Maj. Steffey. "Through the universal language of music, we bring a message of peace and hope."