Following in the footsteps of the legendary Jazz Ambassadors Program of the 1950’s, the American Music Abroad Program specifically designed for people-to-people cultural exchange, communicated America’s rich musical contributions and diverse culture during a ten-day tour of Northern Greece. Laura Cortese and the Dance Cards performed in Kozani, Xanthi and Thessaloniki holding concerts, workshops, lectures and jam sessions with local musicians in all three cities, focusing on younger and underserved audiences. While in Kozani, the group performed at the Ptolemaida Music School and held jam sessions with local musicians. In Xanthi, the group conducted workshops with local young musicians and offered a presentation of rich American music culture in the remote village of Glafki. In Thessaloniki, Laura Cortese, Valerie Thompson and Mariel Vandersteel played for diverse audiences and built instant, broad and powerful connections with the local music scene.
#exchangeourworld #AMA2016
