U.S. Pacific Fleet Jazz Ensemble in Samoa for Music and Cultural Exchange

Apia, Samoa – 30 April 2026 – The U.S. Embassy in Apia welcomed the U.S. Pacific Fleet Jazz Ensemble to Samoa for a week of music and cultural exchange.  The event is part of a series of events taking place in 2026 under Freedom250, the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States.

The ensemble’s visit to Samoa includes outreach activities with local schools and performances within the broader community.

Over the course of the week, the musicians will engage with U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers and students in Manunu, Mulifanua, and Falelatai, and the group were the first musical pop-up band to perform at the Savalalo Market. They will participate in upcoming community jazz events at the Tiapapata Arts Centre, which are free and open to the public, to celebrate and share the rich history of jazz in Samoa.

The US Pacific Fleet Band visiting one of the local primary schools. The dynamic four-piece ensemble is based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Their performances highlight the power of music—particularly jazz—as a means of strengthening cultural ties and fostering connection across the Pacific. 

The visit reflects on the history of jazz in Samoa dating back to the 1920s, with legendary Samoan artists such as the Apia Jazz Band and Mavis Rivers making waves in jazz in the Pacific.

The U.S. Pacific Fleet Jazz Ensemble features musicians Mark A. Lame (bass), Owen T. Sczerba (saxophone), Jonah A. David (drums), and Dylan Z. Schirato (guitar) and offers listeners an opportunity to experience the artistry and professionalism of U.S. Navy musicians.

The U.S. Pacific Fleet Band has proudly represented the Navy for more than 75 years. Headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii, the band supports a wide range of official functions and public concerts across the Pacific region. Its musicians are active-duty service members who undergo rigorous musical and military training, and they perform hundreds of engagements each year. The band plays a vital role in community outreach and cultural diplomacy, engaging with audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

The visit underscores the United States’ ongoing commitment to cultural diplomacy and people-to-people connections in the Pacific. Through music, the U.S. Embassy continues to promote shared values of creativity, collaboration, and mutual understanding between the United States and Samoa.