The Voice of American Jazz Swings with Cypriot Musicians

During March 12-16, Embassy Nicosia’s Bicommunal Support Program sponsored the Chris Byars Quartet and jazz vocalist virtuoso Marion Cowings to return to Cyprus to carry out the “Jazz Futures” program for Greek and Turkish Cypriot musicians. The program included rigorous musical training, jam sessions and public concerts at clubs Narnia in Nicosia and Jazzy B in Limassol; the program attracted island-wide media coverage. With a view to establishing sustainable bicommunal networks, “Jazz Futures,” since it began in June 2008, has succeeded in building island-wide musical bridges between the two communities: participants who knew little or nothing about the “other” community are now working together and performing on a weekly basis.

Chris Byars Jazz Quartet and Marion Cowings (microphone) on stage

Chris Byars and his Jazz Quartet on stage

Audience at one of the group's appearances

Marion Cowings (left) with the Chris Byars Jazz Quartet at the Fulbright Center

Marion Cowings (microphone) with the Chris Byars Jazz Quartet and Cypriot musicians at the Fulbright Center

Ambassador Urbancic with the group, Marion Cowings, Cypriot musicians and friends

Chris Byars (piano) and Marion Cowings discussing with Cypriot musicians at the Fulbright Center

Chris Byars Jazz Quartet members and Cypriot musicians at the Fulbright Center