Music that builds bridges between cultures.

Patrons of the DOUNB Library and the "Window to America" Center are accustomed to various events that allow them to meet English-speaking guests of the city.

 But the meeting on October 30 was special - the US Embassy's diplomat Sean O'Hara visited us with an informal visit. Mr. O’Hara is a diplomat and cultural affairs attaché with the US Embassy in Ukraine, but he is also an amateur jazz musician. All afternoon Mr. O'Hara used the jazz language of his alto-saxophone, he learned to play it in school years. Besides he plays Hawaiian guitar and can perform a popular Ukrainian folk song "You tricked me!".

 Mr. Sean demonstrated a slide presentation which introduced the audience to jazz and its founding fathers – Ben Goodwin and Louis Armstrong; He performed selected musical fragments in which basic jazz elements (swing, syncopation and others) were demonstrated to the audience.

The real fun was an attempt to create a human jazz band (imitating the sounds of musical instruments). All the band members enjoyed the process, clapped their hands and smiled.

At the end of the session Mr. Sean answered the questions, told about himself, his life-long friendship with music and his diplomatic mission in Ukraine. He urged the group to monitor the ads and attend the show of the Broadway dance team that will visit Ukraine soon! Professional dancers can attend the casting and receive a chance to join the Broadway team.

The DOUNB Library director, Ms. Nadiya Titova city, gifted library memento’s to Mr. Sean to commemorate his visit to Dnipro city. A DOUNB Librarian Ms. Alexandra   performed for him a violin number – a popular rock composition.

The meeting with the American diplomat was arranged in partnership with the Dnipro Academy of Music at the American Art Residence of DOUNB Library. It was a pity that only few students could make it to the session. Student Katerina Dyomina sang a popular jazz piece.

The JAZZ event participant experienced no language barriers.

Mr. Sean talked to all the participants who came over to communicate with him. Several persons were complimented for their   good command of English. Knowledge of English these days is essential, especially now when Ukraine’s economic and social reforms are supported by the European Union, the USA, Canada, Australia .

Photo by Svitlana Usenko and Galyna Shevtsova.

Participants number – 63 persons.

Have a look at more pictures, please