Jazz & Democracy Project®

July 5, 2011

Dr. Wes introduces students to the 12-bar blues during a Jazz & Democracy ® Workshop at the Information Resource Center.

The J&D group meet Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf at the Embassy's Independence Day Celebration.

The first of a series of Jazz and Democracy® (J&D) workshops for local youth was held, July 5, 2011, at the Embassy’s Information Resource Center.  Dr. Wesley Watkins, founder of the Jazz and Democracy Project®, led the workshop, which introduced students to the 12-bar blues and used jazz as a metaphor to bring democracy to life.  Dr. Wes, as he’s known by his students, was joined by a trio of American jazz musicians travelling with the program – bassist Atemu Aton, piano player Kwami Coleman, and drummer Ruth Price. 

J&D’s visit July 3 - 8, 2011, kicks-off Embassy Monrovia's month-long celebration of American and Liberian independence. In addition to showcasing American arts and culture, the program encourages people of all ages to participate in the democratic process. J&D is sharing their message and music through a series of workshops and performances.

The jazz trio performed at the Embassy’s Independence Day Celebration at Monrovia City Hall. The group will conduct J&D workshops with youth leaders, middle school and high school students throughout the week.  They will conduct a full-day jazz history and theory workshop for local music students. J&D will also perform at the Agape National Academy of Music’s (ANAM) Inaugural Independence Concert and at an Embassy community event.

J&D's visit to Liberia was made possible through the support of the Performance Arts Initiative (PAI), a Department of State Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs program. PAI provides financial support to U.S. Embassies for presentations of American performing art and artists. They are an important way to foster goodwill, engage foreign audiences and provide insight into American culture and values.