Consulate of the United States

Programs and Events 2008

U.S. Consulate General Jerusalem connects American jazz legend Branford Marsalis with Palestinian musicians and children

Consulate Jerusalem organized a day of activities in the West Bank for legendary American jazz musician Bradford Marsalis on July 17^th specifically for Palestinian audiences.

In response to a request of Mr. Marsalis, the Consulate offered the famous New Orleans musician the chance to connect via DVC with ten professional musicians and students from Gaza through the American Corner located in Al-Azhar University.  Mr. Marsalis was moved by the experiences that the Gaza musicians shared with him, and promised to extend his help in any way, including by gathering and sending musical instruments and equipment, which are very difficult to find in Gaza.  They spoke of future virtual opportunities to jam together, as well as future visits once the situation allows.

Mr. Marsalis was also touched by the dedication of the local musicians to their art despite the difficult circumstances. Marsalis then spent the afternoon in the Jerusalem studio of the Sabreen Association for Artistic Development – a local non-profit organization devoted to promoting awareness of traditional music and providing music education to underprivileged children across the Palestinian Territories -- with 10 Palestinian musicians from Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Ramallah.  The musicians spent two hours jamming together, blending traditional Palestinian music with jazz.

The day ended with a mini-concert and meet-and-greet with children and teachers at an UNRWA school in the Qalandia refugee camp near Ramallah who are participating in the USG-sponsored Camp Discovery summer camp program.  Many of the young campers had never seen a saxophone before and were particularly thrilled by Marsalis’s offer to them to “help” him play by pressing the instruments buttons while he blew a tune into it.  The students taught him a local song, which he played along to, and even performed some traditional dabkah dancing for him.  It was a rare and mutually exciting opportunity to meet and share culture for everyone present.