American People Sponsor Bobby Ricketts' Dar Jazz Event

American Jazz Musicians Bobby Ricketts (second from right) and Delmar Brown (on his right) perform in front of journalists to promote the Dar Jazz Event 2012 sponsored by the American People, during a press conference held at the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam recently. Looking on is Public Affairs Officer, Ms. Dana Banks (right) and American Jazz Musician Tony Bunn (left).

American Jazz Musicians Bobby Ricketts (right); Delmar Brown (center) and Tony Bunn (left), pose for a photo in front of journalists after a press conference held at the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam to promote the Dar Jazz Event 2012, sponsored by the American People.

Public Affairs Officer, Ms. Dana Banks (second from right), pose for a photo in front of journalists with American Jazz Musicians Bobby Ricketts (right); Delmar Brown (third from right) and Tony Bunn (left) after a press conference to promote the Dar Jazz Event 2012 sponsored by the American People, held at the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam recently.

 

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The American people through the U.S. Department of State's Arts Envoys Program are sponsoring the visit of American jazz musicians Bobby Ricketts and his group to Tanzania for Annual Dar Jazz Event from April 18 - 21.  Bobby Ricketts will also offer workshops and performances at Triniti, the Alliance Francaise and The Goethe-Institut.

Bobby Ricketts is an American saxophonist from Boston, Massachusetts based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Through numerous artistic collaborations, his reputation has spread throughout Scandinavia, Europe, Japan and the U.S., and Tanzania.  Bobby has made multiple trips to Tanzania, holding workshops and performances to inspire and raise the level of local musicianship.

The roots of jazz originated in Africa and inspired Americans to create this unique sound which is celebrated in many nations today.  Americans celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month in April to draw public attention to the sound of jazz as both a historical and a living treasure.  April is also the birth month of a number of leading figures in jazz: Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Bessie Smith, Johnny Dodds, Billie Holiday, Charles Mingus, Lionel Hampton, Gerry Mulligan, Shorty Rogers, Tito Puente, and Herbie Hancock.

Bobby Ricketts noted: "I am proud to return to Dar es Salaam to meet again Tanzanian friends and musical partners.  Promoting cultural exchanges and mutual understanding through jazz is essential to strengthen the partnership of American musicians like myself, Delmar Brown, and Tony Bunn with Tanzanian artists.  We thank the U.S. Department of State's Arts Envoys Program, the Alliance Francaise, and The Goethe-Institut for their support this year."