2008 Programs and Events

Jazz Diplomacy Makes Its Musical Mark in Minsk

Alvin Atkinson discusses American jazz with students at the Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts

Belarusians gave a warm welcome to "Alvin Atkinson and the Sound Merchants" in Minsk despite the chill in U.S.-Belarusian relations. Jazz lovers packed public concerts at the Belarusian State Philharmonic Society in Minsk as well as in a jam session with the charismatic American artists at a local jazz club, at several university master classes for musicians, and at an innovative workshop on "Music as Business.” At the opening Chargé d'Affaires Jonathan Moore brought down the house with his serenade of Dave Brubeck's song tribute "Cultural Exchange." The tour was heavily covered by all Belarusian media, including Independent weeklies Belorusy I Rynok and Belgazeta, quartet interviews on STV and the First National Channel (state TV outlets) and Polish-based BelSAT Television. Several press outlets trumpeted the successful tour, writing that given recent bilateral tensions, the U.S. Embassy brilliantly timed the cultural program in order to bring Belarusians and Americans together. The "Alvin Atkinson and the Sound Merchants" tour is the result of the "Rhythm Road" partnership between Jazz at Lincoln Center and ECA.