Fort Sill band ensemble plays lush Latin melodies

By Mr. James Brabenec (IMCOM)May 5, 2011

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

FORT SILL, Okla. --There's a new sound emanating from the 77th U.S. Army Band it's the sound of warm Caribbean evenings, cool afternoon siestas and hot salsa dancing. That sound comes from a Latin jazz big band, the brainchild of a couple Army noncommissioned officers: Staff Sgt. Patricia Licon and Sgt. Juan Rosaly.

The two NCOs, also husband and wife, recently brought the idea of creating the ensemble to band commander, Warrant Officer Michael Franz.

"We chose the name RVE, which stands for rhythm, variety and energy," said Licon. "We play tunes that sample the whole catalog of Latin music styles from merengue and bachata to salsa, Tejano and Latin jazz."

Joining them onstage are fellow bandsmen playing the brass and woodwind instruments synonymous with most Army bands. However, over this basic makeup a rich overlay of keyboards and percussion instruments such as bongos, congas and timbales generate different rhythms, different tempos. One vocalist is even learning a song in Spanish furthering the combo's dedication to delve into south-of-the-border music styles.

Rosaly said throughout his career he's played in five Army bands, with Fort Sill's rating right near the top in talent. As for the musicians assembled for the Latin band, he was amazed they picked up the new musical styles within the first month of practice. Rosaly said he's worked with two other Latin bands, and it took those musicians far longer to gel the way RVE has come together.

Licon echoed his words saying they were looking for people who were dedicated and wanted to play this kind of music.

"With this type of band, if a musician's heart isn't into the music, they are not giving the group what it needs," she said. "But, after one rehearsal, really, it was pretty scary; I thought this is almost too good to be true."

In a sense though, the couple form the pillars of the ensemble.

"These two Soldiers are dynamic NCOs, and either one of them coming to this unit would be a huge blessing, but in this instance it's like getting a 2-for-1. We were lucky to get them both at the same time because of the Married Army Couples program," Franz said.

They further this 2-for-1 ideal as Licon said she and her husband display different personalities on and off stage. When the lights go up and the curtain rises, gone is the reserved, quiet woman who takes care of training documentation for the band. Instead, a vibrant lady with a dazzling smile and fluid dance moves invites the audience into a tropical paradise of Latin jazz rhythms and melodies.

"It's my job to sell our music to the audience so I picture myself in the audience and ask myself would this attract me," she said. "How can I make this music look appealing so people will stop and listen."

But then, this vibrancy is hardly "stage makeup" as Licon comes from a background where music was a big part of her daily life. Many songs elicit distinct memories of her childhood.

"When I was young, mom would put a stack of Latin jazz or popular music albums on the stereo to listen to as she cleaned house. Whether we were doing chores or just spending time together there was usually music playing," she said.

Sometimes chores would wait as Licon's dad would take her mom's hand and the couple would dance. She said her parents continue to dance a lot together and would dance the whole night away.

Licon's dad preceded her to the stage where he played keyboards in a Tejano band. To get an idea how deeply the currents of music flow through her family, her dad performed with his brothers: one a singer, the others on bass, drums and guitar.

Though she has a career, a husband and grown daughters of her own, Licon remains close to her parents. That closeness often comes to mind as she performs on stage.

"When I'm on stage, I ask myself would they be proud of what I'm doing," she said, and knowing of their love of dancing, "Could I get my parents to dance'"

In contrast to his effervescent wife, Rosaly, on electric bass, stands at the back of the band like a captain at the wheel of a tall sailing ship quietly guiding the ensemble while laying down the foundation notes for each arrangement.

What he calls his "infatuation" with music developed as a young boy listening to the likes of Tito Puente and Glenn Miller.

"My father was a disc jockey for 37 years and used to bring home demo records. If he put music on I was in the area listening intently," he said.

Rosaly focused on guitar and joined his first band at age 13. Playing bass instead of lead guitar didn't matter to him since he realized the same joy regardless of which instrument he played.

He graduated college in 1995 with a dream to play music for a living. Like many music students he studied music education as a fallback option and while his student teaching experiences went well, following graduation he soon discovered this wasn't his calling in life. For Rosaly, the patience needed to teach young students definitely lagged what one would need to be an effective teacher. His teaching days, by choice, ended soon and he seized the opportunity shortly thereafter to audition for the Army band.

"I decided right then if I didn't make the band I wouldn't join up, that's for sure," he said, with a rich resonating laugh. That was never a problem as he passed the audition. Looking back he calls that one of his best decisions ever. The other best decision happened when Rosaly asked Licon to marry him. The two have been nearly inseparable since and do practically everything together.

With the conclusion of a performance, the stage lights dim, the band packs up its instruments, and the two reverse personalities again. Licon once more reverts to her quiet, introspective self even as Rosaly illuminates and his outgoing nature, with that hearty laugh, reveals itself in the couple's day-to-day activities. Not unlike a needle on a compass that stays pointed to true north, Licon said anything that arises in their lives her husband will automatically link to music.

"We could be out somewhere, and he'll suddenly mention some words or an idea for a song," she said. "His mind seems to work double time ever set on ways to improve as a composer or an artist."

As for their futures, Licon is nearly finished with a degree in criminal justice. She envisions a future in the legal field, perhaps even becoming a lawyer. Rosaly remains on a heading he charted long ago as a boy, and that is to play music professionally. Along the way he may even realize his dream of appearing on the cover of Downbeat, a leading jazz magazine.

Franz said the band may be featured in a summer concert series should that idea come to fruition.

"I believe a lot of people don't realize we have them, but any kind of gathering with a social, party-type of atmosphere this band could lend a nice nuance to," he said.