Jazz legend Hancock concludes 5-day tour of Jordan

AMMAN —  Jazz legend Herbie Hancock, the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Ensemble at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), and guest Don Braden concluded a five-day tour of musical performances and workshops across Jordan with a historic concert at Amman’s Odeon Theatre. 

Attendees included Secretary General of the Ministry of Tourism Emad Hijazeen, dignitaries from various embassies, members of the arts and music community, and US embassy partners and guests, according to an embassy statement. 

Saturday’s performance at the Odeon Theatre brought together Jordanian and American cultural heritage and illustrated “intercultural exchange at its best”. 

 The band spent the last week touring Jordan — not just performing, but also conducting people-to-people outreach and educational workshops with diverse populations in Amman, Jerash, and Umm Qais, the statement said.  

Engagements included a workshop for students and teachers with the University of Jordan Music Department, a jazz masterclass with the National Centre for the Culture and Arts and National Music Conservatory, a workshop with the Princess Taghreed Institute in Jerash for Jordanian youth and Syrian refugees, and a performance at the Umm Qais archaeological site. 

Embassy Public Affairs Counsellor Stefanie Altman-Winans thanked the Department of Antiquities, the University of Jordan, the National Centre for Culture and Arts, Turquoise Mountain, Beit Khayrat Souf, Princess Taghreed Institute, and all of the participants and audiences at each site for making this programme possible.