COVERING PUGET SOUND NAVAL NEWS FOR BREMERTON | BANGOR | KEYPORT
Kitsap
VOLUME 1, NO. 30 | 21 OCTOBER 2011
www.kitsapnavynews.com
SAFE Boats loses out Coast Guard chooses Louisiana competitor for big buy By Tom James tjames@centralkitsapreporter.com
The Coast Guard has passed over SAFE Boats International, a Port Orchard firm, for a contract worth up to $180 million to manufacture a replacement for the ser-
SEE SAFE | PAGE 8
THIS EDITION Trombonists from Navy Band Northwest perform in a rare “trombone choir” at the Naval Undersea Museum aboard Naval Base Kitsap Keyport Sunday. TOM JAMES/STAFF PHOTO
Once in a blue moon Trombone quartet plays one-off choir at museum By Tom James tjams@kitsapnavynews.com
Who knew trombones could sound so good? Navy Band Northwest got a new sound Sunday, as eight of its members stepped out of their normal roles for a special trombone concert at Keyport’s Naval Undersea Museum. The eight, along with an accompanying tuba, conductor, and threepiece rhythm section gave an hour-
long concert as a “trombone choir,” four of the instruments. Even Navy playing mostly jazz numbers for a Band Northwest, with seven units crowd of about 150 in the museum’s including a jazz band, two brass auditorium. groups, a parade band, two ceremo“Get enough trombone playnial bands and even a rock band, ers around,” said Lt. normally doesn’t have one, j.g. Robert Coats with a Keller said. laugh, “and they’ll think Sundays lineup, Keller “Get enough something up.” In addisaid, was possible only trombone players because Navy Band tion to being Navy Band around and Northwest’s Commanding Northwest happened to Officer, Coats directed find itself with eight good they’ll think Sunday’s performance. In addition something up.” trombonists. Trombone choirs, said to five full-time trombone Master Chief Ken Keller, players, two in the band – LTjg Robert Coats, Navy are “doublers,” Keller said, are rare enough that they Band Northwest usually aren’t heard outwho happened to also play side of big cities and unithe trombone in addition versities. Touring groups to their officially desigwith horn sections usually only have nated instrument. one, and even famous jazz and swing “big bands” often only have three or SEE BLUE MOON | PAGE 8
Navy ball, 300 attend NBK celebration ............pg. 3 Navy wife depends on Mr. T, Sarah Smiley ..........pg. 4 First Lady announces jobs for spouses and vets ...pg. 6 Navy tried to sink its own in Pacific theater..... pg. 13