Now what would you expect to hear when you go to watch the US Navy band – perhaps “The Star-Spangled Banner” or “The Navy Hymn”? Navy Band Southwest instead decided to shake up their style and settle into a funky Latin groove with their cover of Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito.” The eight-piece band put some swing on that thang with a brilliant horn section arrangement of the reggaeton tune, while the guitarist and drummer laid out a spanky rhythm section.
The electric guitarist began the performance by vamping on the chords for “Despacito”, before giving the audience a little taste of the intro from Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven”. The guitarist then settled into a groove and let the horn section take center stage. The boys on the horns certainly didn’t disappoint, with the trombonist, saxophonist, and horn player each delivering brilliant lead breaks.
The Navy Band Southwest’s surprise cover was quite popular online, with 6.4 million viewers tuning in on YouTube. The saxophonist in particular was really feeling it that day and became a fan favorite in the comments thanks to his solos. Other viewers praised the band’s arrangement, adding comments such as “Very nice interpretation – it proves music crosses all nations and cultures!” and “Good job from the US Navy Band. We love you in Latin America!”
The Navy Band Southwest gave the performance at Trinity High School in Euless, Texas, on October 24, 2017. The Army wasn’t gonna let the Navy take all the spotlight, though, and the US Army Band Downrange scored their own viral hit on YouTube with a feelgood medley of Queen songs. The mixed-gender vocal group and band delivered high-energy takes on four hits from the legendary English rockers, starting with “Don’t Stop Me Now” and closing with “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
The United States Navy Band has been entertaining the troops and public since 1925, with various groups performing under the organization. The US Navy Band Southwest is based in San Diego, California, and has performed all over the country and internationally. The band’s arrangement of “Despacito” is by far their most popular performance online to date.
Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi released “Despacito” on January 13, 2017, and he sang the Latin pop tune with rapper Daddy Yankee. The song went to number one in 47 countries and has become one of the most commercially successful Spanish language songs in chart history.
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