ALL JAZZED UP IN OMAN

UNCLAS MUSCAT 001525

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/PPD (AFERNANDEZ, CWHITTLESEY),NEA/ARPI (SSTEINGER),
ECA/PE/C/CU (DSCHUMAN)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO SCUL OEXC MU
SUBJECT: ALL JAZZED UP IN OMAN

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Summary
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1. From September 24-27, the Mike del Ferro Trio, plus vocalist
Adrienne West, conducted a highly successful series of
performances and workshops in Muscat. Under the auspices of the
"American Voices" program, the group introduced jazz, swing, and
blues to a wide range of Oman's citizens, and even experimented
with a unique fusion of jazz and Omani traditional music.
Complemented by strong media coverage, the musicians delivered
powerful and positive cultural messages to citizens of the
Sultanate. End summary.

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A Uniquely American Art Form
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2. Vocalist Adrienne West, pianist Mike Del Ferro, drummer
Sebastiaan Kaptein, and bassist Tijmen Zinkhaan wowed Omani
audiences with their musical acumen during a three-day program in
Muscat. The group gave two well-received performances: a small,
intimate event at the Ambassador's residence, and a large public
concert at a local hotel for nearly 300 guests. The public
concert was particularly memorable, as a group of traditional
Omani musicians were invited onstage to perform with American
Voices, producing a unique blend of Arabic rhythms and American
jazz.


3. These performances doubled as cultural lessons for the
audiences, as Ms. West engagingly explained the history of jazz
between her songs. As a result of her explanations, the Omanis
emerged from the concerts with a greater understanding of the
cross-pollination that exists in American music and in American
culture more broadly.

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Swinging In The Schools
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4. The group demonstrated their talents for outreach in two
visits to local schools. At the Muscat Private School, the group
conducted a 90-minute workshop for over sixty Omani
schoolchildren. The easy charm and good spirits of the American
Voices members, particularly Adrienne West, were on full display
as the normally-reserved students peppered the musicians with
questions about their instruments and their love of music.
Several teenagers spontaneously jumped up onto the stage to dance
to the group's infectious rhythms.


5. At TAISM (The American International School in Muscat),the
quartet performed for an assembly of over 150 budding musicians,
highlighting the importance of practice, diligence, and the pure
joy of musical expression. The principal of TAISM's high school
made a point of writing to thank the Embassy after the visit,
noting that "American Voices was terrific... It was an
entertaining and educational experience for the school."

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No Media Blues
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6. Oman's media took special note of the group's visit. The
English-language dailies "Times of Oman," "Oman Tribune," and the
"Oman Daily Observer" all carried articles and photographs of the
musicians. Indeed, the "Times of Oman" devoted two quarter-page
pieces to the jazz group in their September 26 and 27 editions.
The Arabic-language daily "al-Watan" also featured an article and
photograph of the public concert. Further extending their reach
in Oman, the American Voices musicians gave an interview on Radio
Sultanate of Oman's "Weekly Jazz" program, which is broadcast to
an estimated 50,000 listeners.

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Encore, Encore
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7. We highly recommend the Mike Del Ferro Trio (featuring
Adrienne West) to any other mission seeking a talented, flexible,
and engaging musical group.

BALTIMORE