On Saturday, the American University in Cairo (AUC) hosted an open talk for Journalists with Jazz legends Steve Sandberg and Zach Brock (Sandberg/Brock Duo). The duo is participating at the Cairo Jazz Festival as a representation of the impressive cooperation between the US Embassy and the Cairo Jazz Festival (CJF).
Moreover, the due is conducting several lectures, educational seminars, and performances as part of Creativity and Culture: The 2022 Jazz Tour in Egypt.
The conference started with a word by the Dean of the School of Continuing Education James Ketterer. Ketterer began his speech by welcoming the audience at the conference.
Next, he highlighted the role of the US Embassy, the AUC, with CJF and how this cooperation represented an “opportunity to bring people from all over the world, here, to the university, to Egypt,” alongside bridging between different cultures, and arts.
After that Katterer shed light on the role of the School of Continuing Education as it introduces tremendous courses and educational programs to different people in Egyptian society, alongside working on different programs related to arts.
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Regarding the performances of the Sandberg/Brock Duo, the Dean of the School of Continuing Education explained that the presence of the Jazz duo reflected the role of the school as they gave educational lessons and lectures in Cairo and Alexandria.
He also underscored that Jazz has been always an effective “mechanism” in terms of connecting people all over the globe together, and a tool for “diplomacy.”
Next, the Deputy Spokesperson of the US Embassy Jad Chamseddine delivered a short word, welcoming the audience, before moving the microphone to the musicians.
Before receiving the questions from journalists, Sandberg said: “I just want to say how much to love Egypt, it is my first time to be here.”
He also praised the warm welcoming of the Egyptians and the spirit of the people in the country and university, in addition, he recalled a situation of a man who helped him to treat his finger.
Next, Brock hailed the hospitality of the Egyptians, and how much he enjoyed the history of Egypt.
The violinist continued: “One of the reasons that I chose a career in music wasn’t just for my love for music… I just wanted to be a performer and that was because I wanted to travel around the world, and go to places I’ve never dreamt to go for…be with people to play music.”
He concluded: “I am so happy for being here, and thank you for this amazing festival.”
Shortly, musicians started to answer questions that touched upon several topics and music-related issues.
They exchanged various points of view about the impact of COVID-19 on music, their impressions towards being in Egypt and their relationship with Egyptian music, and several talks about Jazz, and world music.
On the impact of Coronavirus on the engagement between music and the composer and the receiver, Brock explained that during COVID-19, he imagined that people won’t play together music in the same place once again, that was a horrible thought.
He added: “that profoundly changed my relationship with music, I found out that music will always make me happy.”
On the other hand, the audience was “hungry for music,” that’s why people came back to concerts.
The experience of the pandemic motivated the violinist to compose his solo album, "Light Shines Through," he told SEE reporter after the conference.
In the same context, Sandberg recalled his experience Soapbox Gallery where he set several performances during the pandemic.
He expressed that it was strange to perform without the audience and only through cameras, however, music was helpful for human spirituality.
Next, Sandberg was asked about composing music for "Dora the Explorer" series, he recalled how he recalled the scenes of the episodes and set the proper sounds and music for the events.
They were also asked about their relationship with Egyptian music, Brock expressed that he and his wife found a place in Chicago that played Egyptian Music. The usage of the violins and the arrangements of their lines caught his attention, he described it as “the incredible role of the violin in Egyptian music.”
On his side, Sandberg praised Umm Kalthoum’s music and her musical introductions, asserting: “I am a huge Umm Kalthoum fan.”
Regarding the issue of world music, the duo concluded their discussion by reflecting on their thoughts about the modern usage of terms and definitions related to music and how much they impact people’s perspective to approach music as those classifications attracted people more than focusing on the sounds themselves.
Last week, the U.S. Embassy in Cairo announced supporting the latest event of the Cairo Jazz Festival with bridging between Jazz world icons Zach Brock and Steve Sandberg with local stars.
Brock and Sandberg (Brock/Sandberg) blend classical world music and jazz with the excitement of improvisation while engaging listeners with fascinating musical commentary. Brock is a multiple Grammy winner with the band Snarky Puppy. Sandberg is a three-time Emmy-nominated composer/pianist.
The Dave Meder, Ben Tiberio, Michael Piolet Trio is the other American ensemble that will combine piano, bass, and drums at the jazz festival. Meder, a jazz pianist, most recently completed a Fulbright scholarship in Egypt, where he taught musicians and students at the Cairo Conservatoire.
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