Lincoln Center Exchange Program With Field Band Foundation

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs will sponsor Jazz at Lincoln Center’s first ever South African cultural exchange program with the Field Band Foundation to produce performances and educational events throughout in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.

The Field Band Foundation uses brass and drum corps marching music to engage its members and make them, their families and classmates and audiences aware of the importance of HIV prevention. Jazz at Lincoln Center is partnering with the organization to employ jazz in this manner as well as teach the organization’s members and instructors the New Orleans-style marching band jazz tradition. In May 2006, Wycliffe Gordon, leading the Jazz at Lincoln Center Septet, and distinguished teaching jazz musicians, will travel throughout South Africa for a 10-day performance/education tour of the country. The Septet will visit three cities: Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town. In each city, Jazz at Lincoln Center will also produce a formal concert in a large venue to raise awareness of the Field Band Foundation’s HIV/AIDS education and prevention program; they will also provide jazz master classes for township residents.

Read the rest of the article here.