Duluth Navy Week is officially underway, and it began with a big band brass this morning on GMN!  Members of the U.S. Navy Brass Band performed live in studio Thursday morning.

Musician Second Class Jonathan Holladay and Musician Second Class Tanner Robison joined us to help kick off the week and share what Navy Week is all about.

The band’s role goes far beyond just entertainment. “We’re just a small component of the over 330,000 sailors stationed worldwide,” said Robison. “We use music as a way to engage with communities, represent naval traditions, and honor significant moments like retirements, changes of command, and memorial services.”

While the mission is serious, the performances are full of joy and energy, something the crowd (and the morning news crew!) definitely felt. “We’re also here to have fun and meet people,” added Holladay. “Events like this week in Duluth really let us connect in meaningful ways.”

When asked about memorable moments from past performances, both musicians had plenty to choose from. “I was lucky to be stationed in Yokosuka, Japan, we saw so many amazing places,” Robison shared. Holiday added, “I’m biased toward Chicago, especially getting to play Navy Pier.”

Duluth Navy Week runs through Sunday, with performances and appearances by Navy personnel happening all across the region. You can catch the Navy Band at several events throughout the week: Thursday at 12 p.m. at the Depot, Friday morning at the parade in Superior, Wisconsin, Friday evening at 6 p.m. at Bayfront Festival Park for Fourth Fest, and Saturday before the Duluth Huskies game, where they’ll perform a pre-show and the national anthem.