US embassy cable - 02AMMAN2645

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 002645 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR ECA/PE/C/CU; NEA/PPD (CBOURGEOIS, JBAROODY, 
JGAFFNEY); NEA/ARN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP,  OEXC,  SCUL,  JO 
SUBJECT: Mr. Robert McNamara - Target-of-Opportunity 
Musician: Evaluation 
 
1. Summary: PAS Amman organized three public concerts and 
two workshops for musician Mr. Robert McNamara during his 
program in Jordan on May 19 through May 21.  Mr. McNamara's 
program in Jordan was the first of PAS' cultural programs to 
be pursued following the events taking place in the region. 
Regardless of the general dispirited sentiment among 
Jordanians, various groups of people attended his concerts 
and enjoyed listening to him strumming on the guitar and 
attuned themselves to the medieval notes of the lute.  Mr. 
McNamara's love for music and his instruments had a positive 
effect on his audiences, stirring up their admiration for 
his music.  End summary. 
 
2. Description of Activity: Both Mr. McNamara's public 
concerts were cosponsored by The National Music Conservatory 
and The Blue Fig Cafe.  The first concert was a solo 
performance held in the main hall of the caf.  Mr. 
McNamara's second concert was a special performance, as it 
was a fundraising event from which all proceeds were donated 
to the West Bank's Bir Zeit University's conservatory.  Mr. 
McNamara performed alongside talented Jordanian musicians 
with whom he had rehearsed in preparation for the special 
tribute.  The third and final concert was held at the multi- 
national American Community School (A.C.S.) for the entire 
student body, 360 students (kindergarten through Grade 12) 
and teaching staff.  The first of Mr. McNamara's workshops 
was held at the National Music Conservatory for a number of 
students and instructors.  The second workshop was held at 
the Yarmouk University's faculty of Fine Arts for almost 
eighty students of music and faculty members. 
 
 
3. Press Coverage: There were regular daily radio 
announcements prior to Mr. McNamara's public concerts.  On 
May 20, "Al-Ra'i" leading Arabic daily ran an article 
announcing the fundraising concert at Blue Fig Caf.  The 
article discussed the rationale behind the concert and 
pointed out that Mr. McNamara's involvement in such an event 
proved that artistic expression is a channel for 
communication, regardless of the critical turn of events in 
the region.  The Star Weekly also ran an article on the 
fundraising concert at Blue Fig Caf on May 23, declaring 
the joint efforts of the National Music Conservatory and 
Blue Fig Caf as a promotion of cultural awareness and 
understanding through music under a banner of support for 
the Palestinian cause.  The article commented that Mr. 
McNamara's style was "Wonderfully direct and informative." 
The use of the lute in Mr. McNamara's performance was much 
enjoyed by the writer, who was in the audience and described 
ed 
it as "A wonderfully gentle introduction to what became a 
light and enjoyable music lesson."  The article also touched 
on Mr. McNamara's other activities in Jordan, such as his 
workshops at Yarmouk University and the National Music 
Conservatory and it also mentioned his solo performance at 
Blue Fig Caf.  Mr. McNamara was also featured on a live 
radio show on Jordan's FM English Language Radio Station 
alongside a Jordanian oud player.  They discussed the fusion 
of their music and commented on the success of their work 
together.  Mr. McNamara was interviewed for an hour.  In the 
program, Mr. McNamara also declared his interest in 
introducing his music to Jordanian audiences as a reflection 
of American culture and in return introducing new oriental 
qualities to his own music. 
 
4. Date, Fiscal Year and Quarter: May 19 - May 21, 2002; 
FY-02 Third Quarter. 
 
5. Justification and Objective: PAS requested Mr. McNamara's 
visit to Jordan to expose Jordanian audiences to an 
assortment of classical guitar and to traditional American 
pieces such as 900 miles/Lily of the West and Old Joe 
Clark/Salt Creek and Somewhere Over the Rainbow by H. Arlen. 
PAS also envisioned introducing the Jordanian public to 
instruments unfamiliar to Jordanians, such as the lute and 
to new musical techniques.  The importance of providing 
insight into the development of music and musical 
instruments over time, as was demonstrated during Mr. 
McNamara's program, was also taken into consideration. 
 
6. MPP Objective and Audiences Reached: This program 
supported the MPP goal of promoting Jordanian understanding 
and appreciation of U.S. society, culture and institutions. 
The concerts reached business leaders, academicians, 
artists, students and music lovers from the general public. 
 
7. Result/impact: Very good.  Mr. McNamara is a first-class 
musician.  His performances were wonderful and his friendly 
personality encouraged his audiences to develop a connection 
with his music through his thorough explanation of his songs 
and his instruments.  Mr. McNamara was pleasant in every 
situation and friendly and cooperative with his the 
musicians he worked with and his fans.  The Public Affairs 
staff enjoyed his company and working with him very much. 
 
8. Cost-sharing: The Blue Fig Cafe provided its musical 
venues and technical staff free of charge. 
 
9. Quality of Support: None.  This program was initiated by 
post.  GNEHM