FOB PROSPERITY, Iraq - Soldiers from 4th Infantry Division's "Iron Crawdads" brass band entertained Soldiers from 4th Brigade Combat Team and civilians with an hour-and-a-half of New Orleans-style music at the King Cobra Café April 12.
The band strives to bring a feeling of home for Soldiers deployed in Multi-National Division " Baghdad's area of operations, bringing with them a variety of musical talents and groups to cover a wide spectrum of musical taste.
"They're starving for something to remind them of home. There are a lot of people in this division from New Orleans so it gives them a little bit of home," said Staff Sgt. Gary Corbitt, saxophone player.
"That's what we strive for in all of our bands," said Corbitt.
"The audience encourages us. If we get positive feedback from the audience, we do a lot better," piped in Sgt. 1st Class Alix St. Felix, trombone player.
"We were a Dixie band originally, but we transitioned into this brass band style to make it more entertaining, more fun," added Corbitt. "It's different getting ready to play in this band. It's big on improvisation " it's big on solo play. When I first joined this band, I was kind of reserved and nervous about being a soloist. Now I've gotten over that and let it go and have fun with the music."
The band played 15 songs during the concert including "Kimbles and Bits," a song written by St. Felix which was recorded in 1990.
"There was a bass player in my band named Rodney Kimble. I wrote it for him," said St. Felix. "I wrote a song for each of the members in my band."
"The biggest thing we try to do is have fun with the music," said Corbitt. "It's a new style of music that I've never played. It's mostly like a funk band that plays a New Orleans set-up."
"It (the brass band) helped me to learn a different style of music. When I grew up I didn't have the jazz style. I've grown up as a musician because of it," said Staff Sgt. Deborah Ryan, clarinet player. "It's forcing me to play as a soloist, which I've never done before,"
"I like playing this type of music," said Staff Sgt. Josh DiStefano, piano player. "Dr. John (well known piano player and singer) is one of my heroes, so I try to imitate his style."
DiStefano said he truly enjoys what he does. "I get to play piano for a living," he said. "The Soldiers here are pretty appreciative," he added.