America's "Jazz Ambassadors" Photo Exhibition Opens at National Sun Yat-Sen University

PR-0964E | Date: 2009/12/4

In cooperation with National Sun Yat-Sen University, the Kaohsiung Office of the American Institute in Taiwan is pleased to present the international travelling photographic exhibition Jam Session: America's Jazz Ambassadors Embrace the World. The exhibit will be shown at the Library and Information Service Building in National Sun Yat-Sen University from December 9, 2009 to January 23, 2010.

Jam Session: America's Jazz Ambassadors Embrace the World chronicles the history of the famed "Jazz Ambassadors" program, which sent some of America's most renowned jazz musicians to perform throughout the world during the 1950s, '60s and '70s. With U.S. government sponsorship, such legendary jazz greats as Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Goodman, Sarah Vaughn and many others showcased America's talent and diversity, and the power of music to bridge cultural and political differences. The exhibition's 55 photographs beautifully depict the stories of these Jazz Ambassadors and the different activities that characterized their tours.

Developed in collaboration with University of Michigan professor Penny M. Von Eschen and drawn from collections around the United States, Jam Session: America's Jazz Ambassadors Embrace the World captures memorable moments from jazz tours to 35 countries and four continents. These include Dizzy Gillespie performing before a capacity crowd in Argentina; Louis Armstrong meeting a revered national leader in Nigeria; Benny Goodman entertaining kids in Moscow's Red Square and many more. It is the first time that photographs representing this positive experience in American cultural diplomacy have been collected for a single exhibit.

In conjunction with the exhibit, the Sun Yat-Sen America Center will present five Jazz films starting at 4:30 p.m. from Monday through Friday during the week of December 14 - December 18. For the exhibition's hours and directions to the university, please visit National Sun Yat-Sen University website: http://www.nsysu.edu.tw

For further information about the exhibition, please visit: http://www.meridian.org/jazzambassadors/