Embassy News

Ari Roland Jazz Quartet Foster Cultural Exchange Through American Music And Culture

PAS No 225 
December 18, 2008

During the performance

Ashgabat, December 18, 2008 – On December 16, the Ari Roland Quartet, a group of four New York-based jazz musicians, wrapped up their five day visit to Turkmenistan with a public performance at Ashgabat's Magtymguly National Music and Drama Theater.

During their visit the Jazz Quartet held seminars on role of music in American society, culture and history for students and musicians in Ashgabat and Dashoguz city.   The group also held a public concert on December 15 at N. Andalyp Music Drama Theater of Dashoguz Welayat in Dashoguz city.  The quartet members included:  Ari Roland, bass; Chris Byars, saxophone and piano, Zaid Nasser, saxophone, and Keith Balla, drums.

The Ari Roland quartet visited Turkmenistan as part of a tour through the Middle East and Central Asia, organized and fully funded by the U.S. Department of State.  They are part of the "Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad Program," which is designed to foster cultural exchange between the United States and other countries of the world through American music and culture.  This is the third visit to Turkmenistan for lead members Ari Roland and Chris Byars.  The two have also presented their trips to Turkmenistan to numerous New York audiences.