One does not usually speak about the Marines and the Savannah Bananas in the same breath. But for Jonathan Truluck, a Golden Isles Youth Orchestra alum, his job in the Marine Corp set the stage for him to become a member of the Savannah Bananas Pep Band.
Just how does one go from the straight and narrow of the Marines to the wild and crazy of the Bananas?
Jonathan’s musical journey began back in eighth grade when he started playing the trombone. Although he characterizes it as a late musical start, Jonathan said GIYO helped to provide a practice framework. It was motivating because of the responsibility to, and ownership of, the music he was playing. He learned the better he got, the more fun he had.
He graduated from Brunswick High School in 2014 and played with GIYO in Maestro Luis Hasa’s final concert. From there he attended Armstrong State—now Georgia Southern University—and studied trombone and music education under Mark Johnson, graduating in 2018.
To serve his country was something Jonathan wanted to do. When he auditioned for the Marine band, it was an opportunity to combine his passions. He served four years in the Marines playing with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band in Cherry Point, North Carolina, as a member of the Concert Band, Ceremonial Band, Brass Quintet and Brass Band.
Jonathan describes the job of a Marine musician as “upholding the sprit of the corp.” During his time in the Marines, he performed at Fleet Week, recruiting tours and other events to represent the men and women serving their country. He says that is eventually what set the foundation for his Banana Band experience of having “improvise, adapt and overcome.”
“Banana ball is a baseball game and a circus happening at the same time and in the same location,” Jonathan explains. “It is all about creating a fun experience for the whole family. The band is always on the move — think a second line like you would see on the streets of New Orleans. We do surprise or pop-up performances all around the ballpark.”
Jonathan was first asked to play in the Banana Band back in May 2023. It was the first year of the Banana Ball concept, and one of his college friends was in it and asked if he wanted to play. He said, “I kind of fell into it at the right time. I really didn’t know how big of deal it was until my first game. It is like being part of a Disneyland band . . .it is a whole show.”
Speaking of Disneyland, the Savannah Bananas recently returned from Savannah Banana Day at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Jonathan and the 10 to 12 members of the band travel all over the country with the team.
When his is not “playing his horn and jumping up and down, dancing and having fun on the field,” Jonathan stays connected to his musical roots by helping out with the Brunswick High and Glynn Academy bands. He will be attending the University of Southern Mississippi in the fall to pursue a master’s in music performance.
“I love music and where it has taken me,” Jonathan insists. “All the things I didn’t plan on have been best for me because I am open to what comes my way. There is always a place for music and I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.”
