Navy Band Southwest — one of the Navy’s oldest continuing musical organizations — will be among the groups performing at this weekend’s L.A. Fleet Week in San Pedro.
But the ensemble will also share free concerts at several locations throughout the region, including at the Los Angeles Farmers Market and the Santa Monica Pier, and in Gardena on the Memorial Day holiday.
Under the direction of Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Shea, Navy Band Southwest calls Naval Base San Diego home and is one of 11 official Navy bands around the world. With a 100-year-old history, the band serves as the musical ambassador for the commander of Navy Region Southwest.
Navy Band Southwest has several performing ensembles, including the Concert Band, Ceremonial Band, Brass Band, Brass Quintet, Woodwind Quintet, Jazz Combo and a Popular Music Group.
Scheduled appearances over the next several days include:
- Noon Friday, May 22: Woodwind Quintet at Los Angeles Farmers Market, 6333 W. Third St.
- 4 p.m. Friday, May 22: Popular Music Group at LAFW Expo Mainstage, 250 S. Harbor Blvd., San Pedro.
- Noon Saturday, May 23: Brass Band at the Santa Monica Pier, 200 Santa Monica Pier.
- 2 p.m. Saturday, May 23: Brass Band at LAFW Expo Mainstage.
- 10 a.m. Saturday, May 23: Woodwind Quintet at the Korean Friendship Bell, 3601 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro.
- 4 p.m. Sunday, May 24: Popular Music Group at LAFW Expo Mainstage.
- Noon Sunday, May 24: Brass Quintet at Los Angeles Farmers Market.
- 10 a.m. Monday, May 25: Ceremonial Band for a Memorial Day observance at Green Hills Memorial Park, 27501 S. Western Ave., Rancho Palos Verdes.
- 10 a.m. Monday, May 25: Brass Quintet for a Memorial Day observance at Roosevelt Cemetery, 18255 Vermont Ave., Gardena.
L.A. Fleet Week, an annual celebration of the United States Sea Services, will open on Friday, May 22, and run through Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, on the waterfront in San Pedro.
This is the 10th annual Fleet Week and will include the added celebration of America’s 250th birthday, which will be on July 4 but is being recognized throughout 2026.
Fleet Week brings thousands of U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel to the Port of Los Angeles each year for a series of festive celebrations designed to be a bridge between the civilian community and the nation’s operational forces.
Navy bands are among the groups that do outreach year-round to foster patriotism and support recruiting efforts.
Navy Band Southwest is one of 11 Navy bands with similar missions, which include honoring veterans, doing public outreach, strengthening international partnerships, supporting military ceremonies and recruiting.
The bands tour throughout the U.S. and the world, with sailors in the ensembles also being full-time professional musicians. Almost all Navy musicians have undergraduate degrees in music — with many having graduate degrees as well.
‘Navy bands travel the nation, connecting our Navy with Americans and highlighting the great work our Sailors are doing around the world every day to keep us safe and free,” Capt. Robert “Seph” Coats, commanding officer of U.S. Navy Music, said in a written statement.