Public Affairs Section > Cultural Events > Jazz Ambassadors

The Jazz Ambassadors Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The goal of the program is to promote exposure to and appreciation for American jazz music in Ukraine and to strengthen ties between American and Ukrainian musicians.

Since the program's inception in 1998, Jazz Ambassadors have toured Eurasia, Central Europe, the Balkans, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, East Asia and South Asia. The Adam Klipple Quartet was the second jazz group to visit Ukraine as part of the Jazz Ambassadors Program.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, located in Washington, D.C., is the nation’s performing arts center and a Presidential Memorial. Its programs reflect its commitment to the recognition and celebration of the rich heritage of the American people, presenting the finest and most diverse performing arts within the United States and throughout the world.

2003

The Adam Klipple Quartet, a New York City-based jazz group featuring the influence of Latin rhythms on American jazz, performed a series of concerts in Odesa, Vinnytsa, and Kyiv November 2-4.

The Adam Klipple Quartet, or AK4, consists of pianist Adam Klipple, drummer Aaron Johnston, percussionist Frank Colon, and bassist David Ambrosio.

AK4 already had visited Russia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Georgia, and they concluded their tour in Moldova following their visit to Ukraine.

The Adam Klipple Quartet is one of seven ensembles selected for the 2003 Jazz Ambassadors program. These ensembles of outstanding American jazz musicians are highlighting the influence of Latin rhythms on American Jazz.

2002

The Ambassador Jazz Trio, consisting of leading American jazz musicians Virginia Mayhew, Allison Miller and Gary Wang, came to Kyiv in spring of 2002 to perform at multiple venues to celebrate the music of Jazz great Louis Armstrong.

Public Affairs Section (PAS)
Counselor for Public Affairs: Michelle Logsdon
Cultural Affairs Officer: Courtney Austrian
Press Attache: John Sullivan
Contact: 380-44-490-4026 -- 490-0428 (fax)
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Kyiv 04050 Ukraine