It is going to be a week filled with jazz music as the United States Embassy in Apia welcomed the US Pacific Fleet Jazz Ensemble to Samoa for a week of music and cultural exchange.  

The event is part of a series of events taking place in 2026 under Freedom250, the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States.

“The ensemble’s visit to Samoa includes outreach activities with local schools and performances within the broader community. Over the course of the week, the musicians will engage with US Peace Corps Volunteers and students in Manunu, Mulifanua, and Falelatai, and the group were the first musical pop-up band to perform at the Savalalo Market," said the US Embassy.

“They will participate in upcoming community jazz events at the Tiapapata Arts Centre, which are free and open to the public, to celebrate and share the rich history of jazz in Samoa.

“The dynamic four-piece ensemble is based in Pearl Harbour, Hawaii. Their performances highlight the power of music—particularly jazz—as a means of strengthening cultural ties and fostering connection across the Pacific.”

The visit reflects on the history of jazz in Samoa, dating back to the 1920s, with legendary Samoan artists such as the Apia Jazz Band and Mavis Rivers making waves in jazz in the Pacific.

The US Pacific Fleet Jazz Ensemble features musicians Mark A. Lame (bass), Owen T. Sczerba (saxophone), Jonah A. David (drums), and Dylan Z. Schirato (guitar) and offers listeners an opportunity to experience the artistry and professionalism of US Navy musicians.

The US Embassy said that through music, they continue to promote shared values of creativity, collaboration, and mutual understanding between the United States and Samoa.