The US Embassy in Doha is celebrating the rich tradition and dynamic power of jazz this May by showcasing the exceptional talents of Supernova and Birckhead.
Guests will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich diversity of the genre with a variety of musical events hosted around Qatar.
In a press statement, US ambassador Timmy Davis emphasised that “The Spring of Jazz celebrates the transformative power of music to bring people together. From the streets of New Orleans to the stages of Qatar, the freedom of jazz music breaks boundaries and fosters cross-cultural connections. I am thrilled to bring this uniquely American art form hailing from my home state of Louisiana to Qatar.”
In collaboration with Georgetown University-Qatar, the “Spring of Jazz” series began on April 21 with a concert at the PUE Theater in Education City.
Dr Safwan Masri, Dean of Georgetown University in Qatar, said: “One of the most dynamic, creative, and expressive forms of music, jazz is a uniquely American genre, pioneered by African Americans and treasured as a national heritage. We are honored to co-host Supernova right here in Education City, where the hallmarks of jazz, including the coalescence of individual and collective expressions, are a beautiful metaphor for what occurs in our classrooms and across the partner universities.”
The musical journey continues in May with Birckhead, led by woodwind artist and composer Brent Birckhead. Birckhead will bring Washington, DC’s jazz heritage to Doha through school workshops and public concerts at the Katara Opera House on May 30 and 31.
The band will perform a diverse repertoire that spans traditional jazz to contemporary grooves. Additionally, Birckhead will delve into the genre’s rich heritage and its impact on artistic expression with a special event at The Ned Doha.
The embassy is bringing Birckhead to Doha via the American Music Abroad (AMA) Programme. First known as Jazz Ambassadors, then Rhythm Road, and now American Music Abroad, AMA is the US’ flagship music exchange programme that reaches audiences in more than 30 countries each year. Over 110 AMA bands have travelled to more than 130 countries around the world, including Qatar, since 2012.
