Local Airmen take love of music on road

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Vann Miller
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Being in a local band called Soul Kara means that finding time to play music is just one sacrifice a member makes for his group. And it's that sacrifice that lifts this group above other bands. 

But it's not just playing a slamming gig from time to time that makes this group of musicians unique to their audiences. This group consists of Airmen from Misawa Air Base, Japan. 

Three Airmen from Misawa teamed up with a local national to form a blues band and quickly discovered they had a winning combination. 

Willing to play their personal style of music is as exciting to them as any lover of music could imagine, according to the band's drummer Staff Sgt. Keith Egelston, a defense paralegal with Misawa's Area Defense Council.
 
"It is a utopia when we know the crowd is enjoying our music," said Sergeant Egelston.
He said the band is not shy about putting on a performance. 

"We basically will play anywhere and anytime, as long as there are people there to listen," he said. 

Sergeant Egelston has been in the Air Force for 10 years and serves as a defense paralegal here. He said that the band got its start after a chance encounter at a local blues bar in Kamakita. After a conversation, they met a few days later at Sergeant Egelston's home and have been practicing ever since. 

Following this musical hobby is something one member of Soul Kara said has been a positive experience. 

"Music is and always has been a hobby of mine," said Senior Airman Jacob Frohreich.
Airman Frohreich, who has been in the service for more than three years, serves as a chaplain assistant for the Air Force, but gives his blues band its deep sound as he plays bass. He said he has played bass since 1999 and would pursue a career in music if the opportunity presents itself. 

Although the band is fairly new, the group has built a lasting friendship they said.
"We'll meet at least three or four times a week over a nice bowl of ramen or gyoza," said Sergeant Egelston. 

The other military member of the band comes from a world of intelligence and works in a field where few words are shared with the public. But when it comes to his band, he's all voice. 

Senior Airman Justin Pietrowski, lays down the vocals for this group and also plays guitar, which is something he decided to learn during a deployment two years ago. 

Airman Pietrowski said that for him, music is liberating. And, if he were to follow it as a career he would follow the examples of Jimi Hendrix and Buddy Guy. 

He said that he understands the work that goes into his band. 

"A lot of great things have great sacrifices," Airman Pietrowski said. 

The members of this group show the rest of Misawa that through team work and sacrifice, anyone can turn a hobby into a successful venture. 

Blues enthusiast can look for the group to perform at a local club or base event. Members can reach them through the band's e-mail at thesoulkarabluesband@gmail.com.