The United States Army Europe and Africa Band and Chorus’s “Free Groove” travelled to Montenegro as part of a musical tour to promote Defender Europe 23, a U.S. European Command directed multi-national, joint exercise designed to build readiness and interoperability between U.S. and NATO allies and partners. On Thursday, May 11 and Saturday, May 13, “Free Groove” played concerts in Pljevlja and Podgorica, respectively, alongside the Montenegrin Orchestra.
“Free Groove” is the United States Army’s premiere jazz ensemble in Europe and Africa comprised of talented soldiers from all over the world who were specifically selected for their improvisation and jazz arranging abilities. This group of highly skilled Soldier-Musicians performs music from a wide range of jazz styles including straight-ahead, bebop, cool-jazz, and Latin. Beyond entertaining U.S. Troops, “Free Groove” regularly performs in front of top U.S. Army leadership and their diplomatic guests.