GEORGIA: Jazz Celebrates Freedom on Independence Day
The U.S. 6th Fleet Naval Forces Europe Band, "The Diplomats," together with the Tbilisi Municipality Big Band, gave a magnificent public jazz concert in honor of U.S. Independence Day on Saturday, July 5. In welcoming the audience, Ambassador John Tefft quoted John Adams, saying that July 4th should be celebrated with "pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore." Invited guests and people from the neighborhood, a middle-class area around Mushtaidi park, crowded together under every possible spot of shade to enjoy the joint performance. This was the first public concert featuring a U.S. military band, and the Tbilisi municipality refurbished the bandshell in preparation for the concert. For two hours on July 5th, the park was filled with the sounds of jazz celebrating freedom of the mind and soul. The "Diplomats" also performed at the Embassy's official July 4th Reception and at a picnic sponsored by the American Chamber of Commerce on July 5th.
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