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Sound Merchants’ Virtuoso Jazz Crosses Cultures, Thrills Dubai Audience
The U.S. jazz quartet Alvin Atkinson and the Sound Merchants performed to an enthusiastic crowd of invited guests February 22 at the Dubai Community Theater and Arts Center (DUCTAC), earning a standing ovation for their mix of bebop, swing and classic jazz numbers. Consul General Paul Sutphin introduced the group, noting that blues and jazz music is a vital US contribution to global culture, and plays an important part promoting cross-cultural understanding, particularly between the Middle East and the United States. The Sound Merchants performance at DUCTAC was made possible through the generous support of the Dubai Cultural Council and the Dubai Community Theater.
The audience was treated to two 45-minute sets of jazz classics from Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, and Chick Corea, as well as to original compositions from Stacy Dillard and Alvin Atkinson. The original pieces included “Ibn Battuta,” reflecting the jazz ensembles’ commitment to incorporating influences from their travels into their music. Another piece performed was in homage of the cooking of Alvin Atkinson’s mother, eliciting a universal response through the shared experience of coming home to the aroma of a succulent meal.
The event was part of the Rhythm Road American Music Abroad Program, which allows performers of jazz and urban music to tour countries with limited exposure to live American culture to reach out across language, cultural and social barriers through the language of music. The Rhythm Road American Music Program is co-produced by Jazz at Lincoln Center, The United States Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and U.S. Embassies and Consulates General Abroad. The Dubai portion of the Sound Merchants’ concert was organized by the Consulate General’s Public Affairs Officer Marion Ram and the office’s Program Assistant.