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September 25, 2001
Dear Fine Wine Trio:
On behalf of the Department of State, I want to thank you for the successful tour to Africa and the Near East, which you completed last spring as Department of State/Kennedy Center Jazz Ambassadors. We appreciate your musicianship, as well as your flexibility and openness to the host countries' cultures. Following are excerpts from reports received on your tour:
Rabat, Morocco - The people who attended the Trio's concerts are the best evidence of their appeal and talent. Many mission contacts and other jazz fans warmly expressed their pleasure and appreciation with the Trio's harmony and mastery, which drew standing ovations.
Amman, Jordan - Robert Bargad, Gene Perla and Robert Kaplan are marvelous musicians. Their performances and personalities leave a great impact on audiences of all ages.
Cairo, Eqypt - The Fine Wine Trio gave a series of highly successful concerts in Cairo and Alexandria that reached a large cross section of our audiences. Their programs raised the U.S. cultural profile in Eqypt and our aim of increasing mutual understanding.
Thank you for your report on the tour. It will help us in planning for next year's program with the Kennedy Center. Cultural Program officers Robert Keith and Sandra Rouse join me in sending best wishes for your continued success.
Sincerely,
Brian J. Sexton
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for
Educational and Cultural Affairs