Southeast Asian Tour: Jazz from J to Z

Cambodia & Vietnam, May 2002

Southeast Asian tour - Jazz from J to Z
Consulate, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

An American resident in Laos captured this well when he wrote that the concert is 'great for public relations, builds the right kind of image for America, its culture and people, and shows that we do want to build better ties between our two nations.' Beginning with the visit to the music school, these artists demonstrated not only their musical talents, but also their interpersonal skills as they performed, answered questions, and jammed onstage with Lao playing traditional instruments. The deputy director of the school noted, 'This is the first time ever to have Lao traditional instruments and jazz being played together!' He added, 'Lao audiences need to hear new music so they become open to it.' At the Residence, the high-level turnout included several who said that -- though they knew little about jazz -- they enjoyed the concert because it was something very different. At the end of the concert in the Cultural Hall, Coco York and the Mike del Ferro Trio jammed onstage with a half dozen Lao artists playing traditional instruments; the audience clearly felt the energy of that unique fusion of music and clapped and danced along. Lao and Americans musicians sharing a stage and making music together was a sight that provided powerful symbolism. US Embassy, Vientiane, Laos

A jazz concert by the American Voices group Mike del Ferro Trio and Blues and Jazz singer CoCo York on May 8, 2002 created enthusiasm among young Cambodians and nostaliga among American and other expatriates working in Cambodia. The sell-out crowd of some 750 at the National Conference Center included members of the Cambodian royal family, ministers, Ambassadors, government officials, students, and expatriates. Cambodian contacts told PAO that such performances create a more favorable image of American culture among Cambodian youth, and Americans working in Cambodia said the concert made them nostagic for the days when U.S. Embassies sponsored more performing arts programming, and prouder of their Embassy and government. US Embassy, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Ain't Misbehavin' in Ho Chi Minh City--American Voices Jazz Duo Concert Performance, May 14-15, 2002 Pianist Mike Del Ferro and singer Coco York brought the packed audience to its feet at the balcony of the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music on May 14. Performing as the American Voices Jazz Duo, Mike and Coco gave new voicings to spirituals and jazz standards, and along the way they opened new doors to American music for many of the Consulate General's main contacts. In addition to the duo's performance to a packed, invitation-only audience, the duo gave master classes the following morning to the Music Conservatory's top voice and keyboard students, and they played at a VIP reception at the Consul General's house in the evening. Ho Chi Minh City Television taped the concert in its entirety and plans to broadcast it soon.Only the second musical performance ever organized by the Post, the concert highlighted our commitment to broaden the bilateral relationship beyond trade issues, to include American arts and culture. The performance also marked a new level of cooperation with members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ho Chi Minh City through their sponsorship of the event. United States Consulate, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Sponsors:

KLM
Cambodia - RM Asia, Doran and Le Legal Office
Vietnam - Ernst and Young, Delta Equipment, Citibank, AmCham Hanoi and HCMC, FedEx, Baker and McKenzie