944

Sunday 07.05.2009 @ 12:00pm

Venue: YBCA (click here for venue details)

From the heart of San Francisco’s Jazz District comes a photographic exhibition that chronicles the international tours of legendary jazz musicians selected by the U.S. State Department to serve as roving cultural ambassadors. Over 90 compelling images, together with posters and other materials, portray the journeys of music greats such as Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Dave Brubeck ,Duke Ellington, Benny Carter, and Sarah Vaughan. Jam Session represents jazz programs reaching 35 countries across four continents. Photographs and documents drawn from major collections around the country illustrate the ways in which this innovative approach to cultural diplomacy helped the United States share its message successfully – often in moments critical to American foreign policy. The exhibit will educate and enlighten viewers about this important historical initiative, while emphasizing the value of employing the Arts to further international and intercultural understanding.

Tues, Weds, Fri, Sat, Sun: 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm; Thurs: 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm; FREE First Tuesday