Monday, September 19, 2011

Jordan Times review - JRB Entertains Amman

Johnny Rodgers Band Entertains in Amman
By Jean-Claude Elias

AMMAN - Johnny Rodgers Band played an exquisite blend of jazz, soul and classic rock music to a delighted crowd Sunday night in Amman. There was even some country mood now and then in a programme that showcased most of the components that make American music what it is today. There was not a dull moment in the fast-paced concert that took place at Al Hussein Cultural Centre...More

Danny; Last night we played a concert at the Al Hussein Cultural Center. We always enjoy playing concert halls when we are overseas,
because the sound is so good and usually there is a nice piano. We had 400 RSVP's on Facebook, before we even arrived in the country.

Before the concert, we had a press conference with some local and national journalists. We all agreed that cultural exchange was an important part of diplomacy and creating understanding between all people.

After the press conference, we were invited to a small reception where we were introduced to Ambassador Jones.

Jordan

Danny: Amman Jordan

This morning we were wisked off to the UNRWA school in Wehdat, a Palestinian refugee camp in Amman Jordan. While we were driving through the settlement, we saw stalls and open air shops full of live chickens, housewares and even Sponge Bob posters. He seems to be an international star.

As soon as we pulled up to the school, we were greeted by smiling faces, which of course, made us smile too :)

It was rare to have the boys and the girls, interact in the same room. They were dancing and singing together.
We were very moved by their sincerity and enthusiasm for the music and for us.

When I saw the children smiling, laughing and dancing, I thought, this is why we came on this tour. This is the power of music and art, to cross language and cultural boundaries. To build bridges between all of us.

It's funny, because the boy on the right is actually mimicking a cue that Johnny uses to signal the band to go into a cool solo section on one of our tunes;)

In this shot you can see the stick bag that my grandfather gave me 37 years ago. How blessed I feel to carry it with me to all these places in this wonderful world.

Princess Basma Center