US embassy cable - 05MUSCAT1525

UNCLAS MUSCAT 001525 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR NEA/PPD (AFERNANDEZ, CWHITTLESEY), NEA/ARPI (SSTEINGER), 
ECA/PE/C/CU (DSCHUMAN) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO, SCUL, OEXC, MU, Public Affairs 
SUBJECT: ALL JAZZED UP IN OMAN 
 
------- 
Summary 
------- 
 
1. From September 24-27, the Mike del Ferro Trio, plus vocalist 
Adrienne West, conducted a highly successful series of 
performances and workshops in Muscat.  Under the auspices of the 
"American Voices" program, the group introduced jazz, swing, and 
blues to a wide range of Oman's citizens, and even experimented 
with a unique fusion of jazz and Omani traditional music. 
Complemented by strong media coverage, the musicians delivered 
powerful and positive cultural messages to citizens of the 
Sultanate.  End summary. 
 
---------------------------- 
A Uniquely American Art Form 
---------------------------- 
 
2. Vocalist Adrienne West, pianist Mike Del Ferro, drummer 
Sebastiaan Kaptein, and bassist Tijmen Zinkhaan wowed Omani 
audiences with their musical acumen during a three-day program in 
Muscat.  The group gave two well-received performances: a small, 
intimate event at the Ambassador's residence, and a large public 
concert at a local hotel for nearly 300 guests.  The public 
concert was particularly memorable, as a group of traditional 
Omani musicians were invited onstage to perform with American 
Voices, producing a unique blend of Arabic rhythms and American 
jazz. 
 
3. These performances doubled as cultural lessons for the 
audiences, as Ms. West engagingly explained the history of jazz 
between her songs.  As a result of her explanations, the Omanis 
emerged from the concerts with a greater understanding of the 
cross-pollination that exists in American music and in American 
culture more broadly. 
 
----------------------- 
Swinging In The Schools 
----------------------- 
 
4. The group demonstrated their talents for outreach in two 
visits to local schools.  At the Muscat Private School, the group 
conducted a 90-minute workshop for over sixty Omani 
schoolchildren.  The easy charm and good spirits of the American 
Voices members, particularly Adrienne West, were on full display 
as the normally-reserved students peppered the musicians with 
questions about their instruments and their love of music. 
Several teenagers spontaneously jumped up onto the stage to dance 
to the group's infectious rhythms. 
 
5. At TAISM (The American International School in Muscat), the 
quartet performed for an assembly of over 150 budding musicians, 
highlighting the importance of practice, diligence, and the pure 
joy of musical expression.  The principal of TAISM's high school 
made a point of writing to thank the Embassy after the visit, 
noting that "American Voices was terrific...  It was an 
entertaining and educational experience for the school." 
 
-------------- 
No Media Blues 
-------------- 
 
6. Oman's media took special note of the group's visit.  The 
English-language dailies "Times of Oman," "Oman Tribune," and the 
"Oman Daily Observer" all carried articles and photographs of the 
musicians.  Indeed, the "Times of Oman" devoted two quarter-page 
pieces to the jazz group in their September 26 and 27 editions. 
The Arabic-language daily "al-Watan" also featured an article and 
photograph of the public concert.  Further extending their reach 
in Oman, the American Voices musicians gave an interview on Radio 
Sultanate of Oman's "Weekly Jazz" program, which is broadcast to 
an estimated 50,000 listeners. 
 
-------------- 
Encore, Encore 
-------------- 
 
7. We highly recommend the Mike Del Ferro Trio (featuring 
Adrienne West) to any other mission seeking a talented, flexible, 
and engaging musical group. 
 
BALTIMORE