Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra in Egypt - part 1 of "Jazz on the Nile"

In February, 2008, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra spent a week in Egypt, performing and conducting educational outreach. Under maestro David Baker, the band played concerts at the Pyramids of Giza, the Cairo Opera House, and the Alexandria Opera House. And the band presented master classes at the American University of Cairo and at a high school. There were also lectures on Louis Armstrong by Smithsonian curator John Edward Hasse. Singer Delores King Williams and dancers Chester Whitmore and Shaunte Johnson rounded out the performing ensemble, whose executive producer is Ken Kimery. The SJMO is part of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, Brent Glass, Director. At each concert, the audience rose to give standing ovations. Funding for the concerts came in part from the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Cairo. More information is at: www.smithsonianjazz.org, www.dailystaregypt.com/article.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• jazz
• big band
• big band jazz
• Smithsonian
• swing
• swing band
• swing dancing
• Lindy Hop
• jitterbug
• Egypt
• Cairo
• Pyramids
• Giza
• Sphinx
• Alexandria Egypt
• American University of Cairo
• David Baker
• Brent Glass
• Dolores Williams
• Chester Whitmore
• Shaunte Johnson
• Ken Kimery
• john Hasse