Embassy Sponsors Grammy-Winner Branford Marsalis

In recognition of the 60th anniversary of US-Israel diplomatic relations, the U.S. Embassy’s Office of Public Diplomacy partnered with the Israel Opera and a production company to bring Grammy-winner Branford Marsalis to Israel on July 17-18.  Marsalis and his band provided a fabulous evening of jazz at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center before an enthusiastic full house of over 1,100.  The following day, Marsalis held a workshop for musicians and students from top music schools in the area.   

The visit to Israel by famed musician Branford Marsalis and his band was a highlight of the Embassy’s ongoing celebration of 60 years of US-Israel diplomatic relations.  This celebration began with a program featuring jazz singer Janice Harrington in February, followed by performances by Tony-award winning actress Sarah Jones in April, and a nine-day visit by the Old Gray Goose International Israel in early July.  Our next planned program in the series is an appearance by the highly acclaimed Alvin Ailey Dance Company in September.

Marsalis and his band performed a memorable concert to a packed house of jazz lovers and professional musicians.  The audience was spell bound throughout the concert, and called Marsalis back for two encores.  The Office of Public Diplomacy invited contacts from the Government of Israel and the musical community to join Chargé d’Affaires Luis Moreno and Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Andrew Koss for the performance.  Just as importantly, the office provided tickets to young people from Israel's under-served communities who otherwise would never have the opportunity to attend a concert by a world-class musician like Marsalis.  The group included representatives from the Israeli-Arab town of Kfar Kara, the Yaffo Music Center, the Arab-Jewish Community Center of Yaffo, Givat Haviva College, and Beit Elazraki Children’s Home in Netanya. 

The following morning, Marsalis led a workshop at the Zappa Music Room.  The audience of 50 included students from Rimon School of Music and from a high school for the arts.  The discussion was moderated by music expert Dubi Lents from Galei Zahal.  The young musicians hung on every word as Marsalis explained techniques for improving their skills and held forth on his personal philosophy of music.  At the close of the workshop, Marsalis gave a short musical demonstration, joined by a young musician from the audience.  Following the workshop, Marsalis met up-and-coming Israeli Ethiopian singer and composer “Ayala.”   

Caption (After talking shop, Branford jams with some young musicians)