Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces Band

The Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces Band is a Cuban military band based in Havana. It is led by Lieutenant Colonel Ney Miguel Milanés Gálvez (born in 1944), who has been leading the for 46 years since 1974. The band is a cultural tool for the Revolutionary Armed Forces aimed at maintaining the patriotism and high morals of the troops. It is based off a mix of Russian, German, and Caribbean military musical tradition.

Brief History and Current Role
It was founded on 1 April 1960, by order of Juan Almeida Bosque, at the request of Ernesto "Che" Guevara, who was then the President of the National Bank of Cuba. It plays an important role in providing accompaniment for military parades that take place on Revolution Square on January 2. This group is also present at ceremonial activities on the island.

During the state visit of President Barack Obama to Havana, Obama greeted Ney Miguel Milanes Gálvez and praised the band for their performance of The Star-Spangled Banner saying that they did a "Good job".

Composition
The combined band, when formed up on parade, is made up of 340 musicians belonging to the


 * Band of the General Staff of the Armed Forces (Banda de Música del Estado Mayor General de las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias)
 * Band of the Ceremonial Unit of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (Banda de Música del Unidad Ceremonial de las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias)
 * Band of the Ministry of the Interior (Banda de Música del Ministerio del Interior)
 * Band of the Eastern Army
 * Band of the Western Army
 * Band of the Central Army