In an historic event July 2, the Yakota-based U.S. Band of the Pacific - Asia Jazz Combo became the first ever U.S. Air Force Band to perform in Hanoi during the 239th anniversary of the Independence of the United States and the 20th Anniversary of the Normalization of Diplomatic Relations with Vietnam.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius, and Vietnam Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh were guests of honor at the event with over 1,000 American, Vietnamese and international guests in attendance. 

The evening’s formal program began with a moving performance of the Vietnamese national anthem by the Hope Choir, a visually-impaired music group.  The U.S. Marine Security Guard Detachment presented the colors and Senior Airman Rebecca Allen sang the U.S. national anthem. 

The officials praised the achievements of the past 20 years, noting how far the two sides have come in such a short time.

Clinton remarked one of the most important accomplishments of his life was his participation in the restoration of relations and how it “helped to heal the wounds of war, to build bonds of genuine friendship, and provided proof in an increasingly divided world that cooperation was far better than conflict.” 

These remarks came just days before the U.S.  hosted Communist Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong for the first-ever visit by a Communist Party chief from Vietnam, marking a new chapter in bilateral relations.

As part of the celebrations, the Jazz Combo also jammed with three Vietnamese jazz musicians at the U.S. Embassy’s American Center on July 1.  Over 100 Vietnamese youth listened to the skilled performers and learned more about jazz and American influences on the musical genre. 

Later that day, the Jazz Combo performed at a local Hanoi jazz club with Vietnamese jazz legend Quyen Van Minh.  These concerts, like the bettering of the bilateral relations, serve as a product of the changes that have occurred over the past 20 years.

The Jazz Combo is a sub-unit of the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific - Asia that focuses on bringing American Jazz and Pop music to audiences around the pacific region.  Members of the performance included Tech. Sgt. Marco Munoz on saxophone, Staff Sgt. Dennis Lambert on keyboards, Senior Airman Ben Johnson on drums, Senior Airman Rebecca Allen on vocals and Senior Airman Emily Wheaton on bass.