ARI ROLAND DUO RETURNS FOR EXUBERANT TURKMEN-AMERICAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ASHGABAT 000737

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN (SNELSIRE),SCA/PPD (BLOCKER),ECA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPAO KCUL TX
SUBJECT: ARI ROLAND DUO RETURNS FOR EXUBERANT TURKMEN-AMERICAN
PROGRAM

REFERENCE: A) ASHGABAT 565; B) ASHGABAT 466

SUMMARY


1. (U) Jazz musicians Ari Roland and Chris Byars helped post create
an outstanding success in cultural diplomacy. After a suspenseful
and challenging program in April, post was pleased to bring back
Roland and Byars for a July jazz outreach program that broke
cultural barriers, renewed old ties, and set the stage for post's
first cultural program in the city of Balkanabat. Host government
reaction was notably positive and helpful this time around -- with
good media coverage of the program and more favorable coordination
between the Ministry of Culture and provincial culture departments
and governors' offices. The return of Roland and Byars allowed post
a longer, richer program of cultural diplomacy that included cities
not reached in the April program. Joint performances with local
musicians and the incorporation of Turkmen music dramatically
expanded the program's impact. Post enthusiastically thanks SCA/PPD
and the Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau for their support of
this program and the Jazz at Lincoln Center program for its sound
choice of musicians. END SUMMARY.

AN ELECTRIFYING ?HOMECOMING?


2. (U) Based on the public enthusiasm generated by the Ari Roland
Quartet in April (reftel A),post invited half the Quartet back to
work closely with Turkmen artists on joint concerts in celebration
of U.S. Independence Day. Since the July program took place outside
the school year, post did not make the difficult request to meet
music students. The Ministry of Culture also denied post's request
to have Roland and Byars meet with local state-employed musicians -
yet this did not reduce attendance at the evening concerts and day
seminars with youth held in Ashgabat, Mary, Turkmenabat and
Balkanabat.


3. (U) Following a performance of traditional jazz pieces at the
official July 4 reception with two local musicians, Roland and Byars
began rehearsals with five musicians nominated by the Ministry of
Culture. In contrast with post's experience in April, the Ministry
approved the July program in record time (one day),placed newspaper
ads for all public performances in a timely manner, and solicited
names from post of local musicians to work with the Duo. The local
musicians -- three experienced musicians and two up-and-coming
recent conservatory graduates -- proved their jazz credentials
beyond post's hopes, allowing the group to quickly develop a mixed,
U.S. and Turkmen musical repertoire for performance. The musicians
played several traditional Turkmen and several jazz pieces using
piano, string bass, saxophone, congo drums, traditional drums,
electric guitar, and voice.


4. (U) The group's first public performance, on July 6 in Ashgabat
for an excited audience of about 500, was simply amazing. Not only
had the U.S. musicians mastered very complex local rhythms but the
group also emanated a cohesion and respect for one another that
showed through in an electrifying performance of jazz. (NOTE:
Following the Ashgabat performance, three of the five local
musicians, with post financial support, toured with Roland and Byars
for three regional performances -- the vocalist, keyboardist and
drummer. END NOTE.)

MARY, TURKMENABT: LOCAL OFFICIALS HELP WHERE THEY CAN


5. (U) In Mary, the site of previous difficulties with host
government control of post's cultural events (reftel B) local
officials were responsive and helpful on the day of the concert --
though as previously, Mary authorities denied public advertising of
the concert through the American Corner. The local government
ordered 400 state employees to attend the concert, which ironically
helped the program reach a different audience -- local government
bureaucrats. Theater staff started registering every person
entering the theater including American Corner visitors -- but
theater personnel ceased this activity upon Emboff's request, and
after obtaining the blessing of the local governor's office.
Embassy staff observed many traditionally-dressed older members of
the crowd warm to the performance, eventually smiling, laughing and
clapping at clever musical points and the mixing of Turkmen with
American musical styles. Many audience members personally thanked
Embassy staff and the musicians expressed their thanks for bringing
the concert to Mary. Theater staff took the initiative to record
the music and provided copies to the group. About 30 American
Corner visitors attended the evening concert, having met the band at
the Corner for a jazz workshop in the afternoon that drew about 35

ASHGABAT 00000737 002 OF 003


teenagers.


6. (U) In Turkmenabat on July 9, the Ari Roland ?Turkmen-American
Quintet? continued to have a visibly positive impact on audiences,
both at the afternoon American Corner seminar and concert. Local
officials even guaranteed seats for the local American Corner's
staff and visitors at the concert venue -- which almost filled to
its 400-500 seat capacity. The officials visibly enjoyed the
program, especially the jazz-styled Turkmen melodies which were
quickly becoming the group's trademark songs. Again audience
members directly expressed their appreciation of the program to
embassy staff and the musicians.

MAIDEN VOYAGE TO BALKANABAT


7. (U) The July 11 concert in Balkanabat was post's first
large-scale public event in the capital of Balkan region. The
recent reopening of Balkan's Internet Access and Training Program
(IATP) site assisted post considerably in advertising the event to
local youth; about 40 secondary school youth and parents attended an
afternoon workshop at the theater and stayed for the concert. In
addition, Emboff visited two local bazaars in the afternoon before
the show, handing out and posting fliers in Turkmen and Russian to
shoppers and salespeople. Most requested the Turkmen language
flier, and were initially skeptical that such a concert was truly
free and open to the public. (NOTE: As the IATP site administrator
later told Emboff, recent cultural events sponsored by other foreign
embassies were either not publicly advertised or were not well
enough advertised to appear open to all. END NOTE.)


8. (U) As in Mary and Turkmenabat, well-known local musicians
attended the pre-concert sound check and workshop. However in
contrast to the prior concerts, the workshop attendees became an
integral part of the band for the evening performance, adding
elements of traditional bakshi singing and gyjak (a three stringed
guitar-like instrument) to the performance. The head of the
National Cultural Center of Balkan region even suggested that Roland
incorporate some explanatory comments about jazz and its history
into the evening concert because he had found this additional
information enriched the workshop. (NOTE: Helpful, independent
suggestions are rare from government officials. END NOTE.) For the
concert, the quintet introduced the popular folk piece "Kush Depti,"
provoking gasps of recognition from the audience and tangible
excitement that American musicians could play this well-known
Turkmen piece. Encouraged by the turnout, post intends to more
regularly program Balkanabat into cultural and educational outreach
events, especially since the city is now home to a luxurious new
500-seat state theater where there had previously been no such
venue.

SIGNIFICANT TV COVERAGE


9. (U) The various concerts received favorable TV coverage during
evening news cultural segments. A longer feature on State TV4 also
included extensive interview material with Roland, Byars and their
local co-performers, as well as an interview with PAO emphasizing
the benefits of cooperation, exchange, creativity, diversity and an
improved U.S.-Turkmenistan relationship (septel).

ALBUM RELEASE?


10. (U) Post now hopes to further the program's impact by using the
professional quality recordings from concerts in Mary and Balkanabat
for publication of CDs for free distribution. The CDs will also be
offered to key government contacts as an example of what can be
achieved when Americans and Turkmens have the opportunity to work
directly with one another. The Public Affairs Section is obtaining
formal permission from the musicians for this publication and
distribution.

COMMENT


11. (U) In Turkmenistan, persistence usually pays off -- as was
clear during 2007 American Culture Days. The host government's
desire to control as always hampered post's planning and outreach
but also assisted by providing no-cost suitable venues in each city.
In addition, the Government's notion in April that ?Turkmens do not
understand jazz,? has firmly been put to rest.


12. (U) Public response was unabashedly positive -- particularly
because the program showcased non-ethnic Turkmen traditions and
ideas while paying respect to local traditions. Local musicians

ASHGABAT 00000737 003.2 OF 003


expressed gratitude for this brief opportunity for professional
exchange and have asked for further such opportunities. Post hopes
to expand on exchanges for local musicians and artists. Noting the
significant and enthusiastic response to the joint Turkmen-American
aspect of the program, post will seek to maximize the interactive
nature of future cultural programming.


13. (U) Post also recognizes that the return of Roland and Byars,
already familiar with Turkmenistan and familiar to audiences,
provided additional impact. In a society with a heavy emphasis on
relationships, the duo's return to Turkmenistan added to the warm
?welcome back? approach from the public and official circles. As a
result, post hopes to leverage -- when appropriate -- return trips
for future program visitors. END COMMENT


14. (U) Dushanbe minimize considered.

HOAGLAND