'Diplomats' Strengthen Partnership in Ghana
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS090309-06
Release Date: 3/9/2009 3:32:00 PM
By Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Charles L. Ludwig, Africa Partnership Station Nashville Public Affairs
SEKONDI, Ghana (NNS) -- Commander, Naval Forces Europe subset band 'The Diplomats' continued their support of Africa Partnership Station (APS) Nashville during a recent port visit to Sekondi, Ghana, performing a grueling schedule to help spread the APS theme of international cooperation through music.
The five-piece band played more than 20 gigs during the 18-day port visit, including stops at children's shelters and schools, along with several official performances both aboard USS Nashville (LPD 13) and on the Sekondi Naval Base.
The schedule allowed Ghanaians to witness the U.S. Navy and APS in a different light, said Musician 1st Class Duke Stuble.
"We were able to bring APS to places where the rest of the mission was not able to reach," he said. "We performed in schools and children shelters where the kids had no idea what APS was, and they left the concerts with at least the concept of partnership. It was definitely in the spirit of what APS is trying to accomplish."
Highlighting the extended port visit was a trio of joint performances with a Ghanaian navy band – encounters that proved unique for The Diplomats.
"To have [the Ghana navy band] open their arms to us and let us learn and play their music was special to us. Playing another culture's music for their people was an amazing experience," Stuble said.
With English serving as Ghana's official language, there were no real communication barriers between the bands. The Diplomats did, however, need to quickly learn a different style of music than their typical fare.
That caused a few minor issues, said Musician 2nd Class Tony Carter.
"They have a different way of feeling a lot of the rhythms. Their grooves have more of what I would call an 'island' feel to them. It's very laid back and difficult to learn on the fly," he said.
That must not have been noticeable to the crowds the band drew throughout its stay though, as hundreds turned up to hear and dance along with The Diplomats' musical stylings. The band is known for covering songs from American musical standard-bearers such as James Brown, Ray Charles and the Eagles in addition to rhythm and blues and pop tunes.
"I was surprised at how much of our music the kids here were familiar with," Carter said. "At several of our performance, the kids went absolutely nuts dancing and bouncing around to the rhythms. Seeing Ghanaian children jamming out to 'I Feel Good' or 'Hotel California' is a very wonderful thing to witness."
It all added up to an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help with the APS mission.
"We always understand and appreciate our job of playing music and interacting with local people," Carter said. "But being able to play here feels different. I'll never have a chance like this again."
APS is an international initiative under the auspices of Naval Forces Africa which aims to work cooperatively with U. S., European and African partners to enhance maritime safety and security on the African continent. APS provides a unique venue to align maritime engagements by utilizing an international team of expert trainers in a variety of military capacities and civilian fields such as fisheries management, port security and meteorology.
Nashville arrived Feb. 20 in Sekondi, Ghana, the second African port of its five-month deployment in support of Africa Partnership Station. After departing from Sekondi, APS Nashville will transit to Lagos, Nigeria.
For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe -U.S. Naval Forces Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/naveur/.
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