MCoE band revamps tune, wins title

By Anna PedronJune 23, 2015

usa image
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BENNING, Ga., (June 24, 2015) -- Turning Blues, a six-member jazz combo group that is part of the Maneuver Center of Excellence Band, recently received the Small Popular Music Ensemble Musical Performance Team of the Year award.

Each Army band has the opportunity to submit an unedited video through AKO to a band website, where Army musicians vote on which band they think is best. Out of more than 10 submissions, Turning Blues were the voters' favorite, said Staff Sgt. Andrew Smicker who plays the trumpet with the MCoE Band.

The tune that the band performed was a jazz version of the Maroon 5 song Maps, which Smicker rearranged to fit their style.

"We submitted our tape back in March," Smicker said. "Then we found out that we won the week of June 8. It was put out on the website - I actually found out about it on Facebook. We did it just to do it, totally not thinking we would win - and then we did."

"This award is significant because it serves as a showcase to see what else is going on in the Army Band field," said Staff Sgt. Kara Buckner, 283rd MCoE Band.

"Through this program we are able to see what other bands are up to and how they are impacting our field. Not only that, but it creates friendly competition. It really pushed us to strive for excellence."

Most Soldiers and civilians on or around Fort Benning do not realize the Maneuver Center of Excellence Band has popular music groups, because most band performances in the area involve the marching band and brass quintet, said Buckner.

But many bands are starting to develop popular music performance teams.

"The MCoE Band has two popular music group ensembles at the moment," said Buckner.

"Turning Blues and the MCoE Rock Band. With these groups we are able to connect with audiences of all ages. Our job is to boost morale through music and to provide a release for Soldiers."

Turning Blues jazz combo is comprised of six people: Staff Sgt. Andrew Smicker, trumpet; Sgt. Luis Echevarriacolon, saxophone; Staff Sgt. Levi Graves, drummer; Spc. Junior Garraway, pianist; Sgt. Jaison Wynne, base and Staff Sgt. Kara Buckner, lead vocalist.

Staff Sgt. Jonathan Greer provided sound support and recording for the video.