U.S. Embassy Welcomes 3 American jazz Bands at Tahrir Cultural Center

The U.S. Embassy in Cairo welcomes three renowned American jazz bands for two days at the Cairo Jazz Festival to connect American and Egyptian artists and jazz fans, alongside other international performers.  The festival will also screen two U.S. documentary films and discuss the history of jazz diplomacy.

According to a statement released by US Embassy in Egypt on Oct. 28, Ambassador Jonathan R. Cohen said, “The U.S. Embassy is supporting the Cairo Jazz Festival this year by sponsoring visiting American musicians who are continuing our tradition of jazz diplomacy dating back six decades to the historic visit to Egypt by famed jazz musician Louis Armstrong.”

Also in this regard, Dr. Ayman Fanous, a well-known contemporary free jazz and improvisation artist, will perform with renowned international cellist Frances-Marie Utti on October 31,

Furthermore, ICX Jazz Ensemble, talented instrumentalists from American universities will perform at the Cairo Jazz Festival’s opening night at Tahrir Cultural Center on October 28.  This will be followed by a concert on October 29 by the dynamic six-member U.S. jazz fusion group AJOYO on the main stage at Tahrir Cultural Center.

All three groups will conduct master classes and workshops for music students and jazz aficionados.  Additionally, AJOYO will conduct a workshop for students of the English Access Microscholarship Program, the U.S. Embassy’s premiere English language program for young Egyptians.

Two Embassy-sponsored jazz groups will reach audiences outside Cairo.  AJOYO will conduct a workshop and perform in Alexandria and ICX Jazz Ensemble will perform in Minya, both on October 30.

It's worth mentioning that the U.S. Embassy’s support of the Cairo Jazz Festival is part of a broader effort to connect and encourage American and Egyptian artists and cultural organizations and strengthen the people to people connections between the United States and Egypt.