THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 3, 1996 TAG: 9603020055
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CHARLENE CASON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
DANA SILVER was one of six children who grew up in Martinsville, Va., poor but musically talented. The family had a professional gospel music troupe in which he performed from age 9 to 12.
The family troupe disbanded and, by the time he joined the Navy in his mid-20s, Silver had been a professional musician with three rhythm-and-blues groups.
But it was his two decades in the Navy that gave Silver what he was really looking for: a proper musical education and the chance to play music - all kinds, from John Philip Sousa to Miles Davis - day and night.
Silver retires this month after 20 years in the Navy and more than a year and a half as unit leader of the Atlantic Express Band. The express band is one of four ensembles that are part of the 70-member Atlantic Fleet Band.
The seven-member ensemble plays jazz and contemporary music for military and community events in addition to their regular duties with the larger military band.
``I joined the Navy as a gunner, but someone told me in boot camp I should try out as a musician,'' he said.
``I couldn't read music,'' he said, ``but I had a professional background, so I learned how to read it. Somebody taught me the right way, but not everyone gets the training.''
Silver said Navy bandsmen are often sold short, asked, ``What's your real job in the Navy?'' But musicians can help make music, the Navy, and the country look good, he said.
``We can go into a country that might be anti-American, anti-military and, especially, anti-American military, and loosen up the people.''
Every day isn't great, he said, but ``it's your job, and your conviction, to channel your energy and give it to the people.''
When an observer at a recent Atlantic Express Band rehearsal noted that vocalists and musicians often perform with their eyes closed, Silver had a ready answer.
``When you close your eyes, you're going to this place and, if you're the unit leader, you're taking the rest of the musicians there, too.
``They don't know they're going there, but it's a higher plane. Nothing but good. A place where everything smells good, sounds good, feels good.''
When he retires, Silver plans to pursue his musical career by performing with three local bands. He has also made a cassette tape and a CD, titled ``Dana/Silver Cloud,'' which has R-and-B, rock, Latin and jazz influences. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
MARTIN SMITH-RODDEN/The Virginian-Pilot
Petty Officer 2nd Class Dana Silver, who leads the Atlantic Express
Band, is retiring this month after 20 years in the Navy.
by CNB