US embassy in Doha to launch 'Spring of Jazz' concert series

This April and May, US Embassy Doha will honour the musical tradition and power of jazz with US talents of Supernova and Birckhead, a statement said Wednesday.US ambassador to Qatar 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 in Qatar (GU-Q), the "Spring of Jazz” series begins on April 21, with a concert at the PUE Theater in Education City. Guests are invited to experience the sounds of hard bop, modal, fusion, and avant-garde jazz with Supernova, led by visionary drummer and composer Nasar Abadey. Admission is free with registration at https://www.qatar.georgetown.edu/event/nasar-abadey-supernova/Dr Safwan Masri, dean of GU-Q, 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 honoured 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, who will bring Washington, D.C.’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.Birckhead will also delve into the genre’s rich heritage and its impact on artistic expression with a special event at The Ned Doha. Ticket registration for Birckhead’s events will open in May. The US embassy is bringing Birckhead to Doha via the American Music Abroad (AMA) 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.