Press Release |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 16, 2001 |
AMERICAN JAZZ TRIO TO TOUR
AFRICA AND THE
NEAR EAST AS
KENNEDY CENTER–DEPARTMENT OF STATE JAZZ
AMBASSADORS
Trio to Perform a Free Millennium Stage Concert at the Kennedy
Center:
May 30, 2001
Spring, May 29 – July 10, 2001
Trio
Drummer Bobby Kapp, Pianist Rob Bargad, and Bassist Gene
Perla
a.k.a.
Fine Wine Trio
Itinerary:
Kennedy Center, Washington, DC
Morocco
Egypt
Zambia
Kenya
Rwanda
Jordan(Washington, DC, March 16) In August 2000 the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the United States Department of State selected seven jazz trios to represent American music overseas as 2000-2001 Kennedy Center–Department of State Jazz Ambassadors, three for Spring 2001 and four for Fall 2001 tours. The 2000-2001 Jazz Ambassadors will kick off their tours with free 6 p.m. concerts on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage on the following dates: the Spring Jazz Ambassadors on Wednesday, May 16; Thursday, May 24; and Wednesday, May 30; the Fall Jazz Ambassadors on Tuesday, August 21; Thursday, September 6; Thursday, September 13 and Thursday, September 20. While on tour, the Jazz Ambassadors will perform under the auspices of American Embassies in Africa, the Near East, South Asia, Latin and Central America.
All the trios, who hail from throughout the United States, were selected by competitive auditions held in New York City at Steinway Hall. The Department of State will provide their overseas traveling expenses and a modest honorarium for each Jazz Ambassador. The tours, which usually last four to six weeks, are designated for countries that are not often visited by American musicians. In addition to public concerts, the visiting Jazz Ambassadors will conduct master classes and lecture-recitals for local musicians. While on tour, the Jazz Ambassadors’ performances will highlight the work and improvisational musical style of Louis Armstrong, celebrating the 100th year of his birth.
Bios:
After studying at Rutgers University in Princeton, New Jersey, Rob Bargad, pianist/composer/arranger, moved to New York and joined the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, which toured the United States, Japan and Europe. In 1991, Mr. Bargad joined the Nat Adderley Quintet, where he remained for seven years, touring extensively and recording eight CDs. Rob has recorded two CD’s as a leader: “Better Times” (Criss Cross) in 1994 and “The Shadow of Your Smile” (Alfa Jazz) in 1996. During his career he has worked with such renowned artists as Little Jimmy Scott, Dakota Station, Yoichi “Monkey” Kobayashi, Phillip Harper, Mark Gross, Carolyn Leonhart, and Jimmy Cobb, among others.
Bobby Kapp, drummer and vocalist, studied at the Berklee School of Music and has been actively involved in the New York City jazz scene since the early 60s. Mr. Kapp was a Top Ten semi-finalist in the 1998 Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International vocal competition and was the featured vocalist and drummer in the San Miguel International Jazz Festival from 1994-1999. In 2000, he was co-leader of Back to the Future Bell Atlantic Jazz Festival and has finished his second recording with the Fine Wine Trio.
Gene Perla, bassist, began his study of classical piano at the age of five in Northeastern New Jersey. Mr. Perla enrolled in the Berklee School of Music and became inspired to play bass after hearing the music of Charlie Haden. In 1966, he moved to New York City and landed his first major gig with The Willie Bobo Sextet. During his career he played with such artists as Carlos “Potato” Valdez, Nina Simone, Woody Herman, Chick Corea, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Joni Mitchell, Buddy Rich, Sonny Rollins, Frank Sinatra, and Nancy Wilson. Mr. Perla has developed careers as an educator, theatrical sound designer, and New York City recording studio co-owner and internet specialist.
Internet broadcasts of Millennium Stage events allow anyone with Internet access to view both live and past performances, in the archives of the Website, by visiting kennedy-center.org.