RHYTHM ROAD 2009: AMERICAN JAZZ FINDS EAGER AUDIENCE IN

UNCLAS KUWAIT 000418

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP (JSAWYER),NEA/PPD (PAGNEW, DBENZE),
ECA/PE/C/CU (RKEITH)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO OEXC OIIP SCUL ZR
SUBJECT: RHYTHM ROAD 2009: AMERICAN JAZZ FINDS EAGER AUDIENCE IN
KUWAIT


1. SUMMARY: New York City-based Chris Byars Jazz Quartet brought
the Rhythm Road American Music Abroad Tour to Kuwait April 18-19.
With three public concerts -- one impromptu jam session, a musical
workshop for students at a local school, and two media interviews,
the four American musicians won the hearts and minds of audiences,
helping Post to foster cultural links and mutual understanding
between Kuwaitis and Americans. END SUMMARY.


2. The Chris Byars Quartet had an auspicious start in Kuwait when
they took the stage for an impromptu concert with a Cypriot Jazz
band as part of the Gulf Jazz Festival on April 17. Scarcely an hour
off the plane from Muscat, the American musicians were warmly
greeted by the Cypriots -- old friends from previous ECA programs --
and invited up on stage to jam. The crowd responded immediately to
the distinctive up-tempo American sound, generating positive buzz
for the concerts to come.


3. Ambassador Deborah Jones officially kicked off the Chris Byars
Quartet's program in Kuwait on April 18 at the Dar al-Athar
al-Islamiyyah, a cultural institution run by a prominent arts patron
and member of the ruling Al Sabah family. The "Dar" supports
Islamic and Western arts and culture and values its close
relationship with the U.S Embassy and American cultural/academic
institutions. The mixed audience of 200 Kuwaitis and foreign expats
were in thrall to the band for the full 90-minute program. By
playing music by Muslim-American jazz great Gigi Gryce (aka Basheer
Qusim),Chris Byars honored the Islamic roots of the venue and
exposed the audience to a little known piece of Muslim-Americana.



4. Basheer Qusim featured heavily in the second concert, staged for
350 students at the Gulf University of Science and Technology (GUST)
on April 19. Chris Byars played maestro to a concert cum education
program with information about Basheer Qusim's life and music, along
with photos, interspersed between songs. Students rushed the stage
at the end of the performance, peppering the band with questions and
praise for the music and the jazz style. A number of young people
attended both concerts and were heard to exclaim that this was the
"best concert ever."


5. Prior to the concert on April 19, 40 music students at the
Universal American School (a private Kuwaiti school) warmly welcomed
the Chris Byars Quartet and showcased their musical talents during a
jazz workshop. The band and the students played together and
recorded a musical message for students in Brooklyn.


6. Kuwaiti media outlets Al-Jarida and Al-Watan covered the Chris
Byars Jazz Quartet program in Kuwait. Al-Watan's interview with the
band ran in its April 27 edition. A short documentary for Al-Watan
TV, featuring interviews with the band and CAO aired on April 20.
Al-Jarida ran a positive article on the GUST concert in its April 20
edition.


JONES