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By Charlene Cason STAFF WRITER 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 Phillip 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 |
 is retiring this month after 20 years in the Navy. |
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 Silvercloud," which has R-and-B, rock, Latin and jazz influences. |
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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 back- ground, 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, |
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