American jazz band to arrive in Yemen [Archives:2006/959/Local News]

SANA'A, June 28 ) The American Jazz Group is expected to arrive in Yemen on its first visit in six years. The band is to hold two concerts, one at the Cultural Center in Sana'a on July 3; the second on July 4, the American Independence Day, at the German Consulate's building in Aden. Both concerts are open to public. The tour is under the auspices of the Yemeni Ministry of Culture and The American Embassy.

The jazz band consists of five members who are originally members of various groups in the U.S. They routinely play as one group. The guitar player is from the state of Michigan. He started playing piano at the age of eight. He participated in and led a number of jazz bands as a high school and university student until he secured a place in the band. Other members professionally sing and play musical instruments like the drums and saxophone.

Jazz is a style of music that originated in the U.S. It is characterized by a strong, but flexible, rhythmic understructure with solo and ensemble improvisations on basic tunes and chord patterns.
——
[archive-e:959-v:14-y:2006-d:2006-06-29-p:ln]