2002 Press Releases

Jazz Ambassadors Trio Performs in Turkmenistan

Sept. 17, 2002

A trio of Jazz Ambassadors is visiting Ashgabat September 18 - 21, 2002, as part of their regional concert tour of Central Asian and Tran-Caucasian countries, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Jazz Ambassadors David Gilomore (guitar), Eddie Allen (trumpet) and Mark Peterson (bass guitar) are conducting various events in Ashgabat, among which are the Jazz Festival in the Ak Altin Hotel at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 19, with participation of Turkmen jazz musicians, a public concert in the Mollanepes Theater at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 20, workshops and master classes for local jazz musicians and students of the National Conservatory. The trio will hold a press conference at the National Cultural Center at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18, after conducting a master class there.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the United States Department of State, now engaged in the fifth year of their cooperative "Jazz Ambassadors" project, announced the Fall 2002 Millennium Stage concerts and tours of seven exemplary jazz trios. These trios, all selected through highly competitive auditions, will tour in countries across Africa, Latin America, Central and South Asia with programs representing American "blues" music. Jazz Ambassador tour by Gilmore/Allen/Peterson Trio features the 100th anniversary of jazz great Louis Armstrong this year.

Bassist and composer Mark Peterson's first professional job as a musician was on a six-month Caribbean tour as bassist and chief musical director for the Americana Orchestra. In 1999 he released his first recording as a leader, entitled The Blue Room. Currently, Mark is working as a bassist for the Broadway musical, Miss Saigon.

David Gillmore is known for his versatility, unique rhythmic sensibilities, and for experimenting in such open-minded and creative projects as The M-Base Collective. Along with his strong desire for new exploration in music, Mr. Gilmore is an accomplished and inspiring teacher. He was honored in 1994 with an award from the 21st Annual International Association of Jazz Educators Convention for outstanding service to jazz education.

Trumpeter and composer Eddie Allen has performed and recorded with such jazz greats as Art Blakey, Billy Harper, Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby Watson, Etta Jones, Houston Person, Jon Faddis, Panama Francis, Henry Threadgill, and Joe Henderson. He leads a quartet and quintet as well as a big band, which plays his compositions and arrangements.