URGENT
Media Note
April 9, 2019
Aberdeen – Rock Brass Band from the United States to Mongolia Next Month, will be Giving Pre-Arrival Online Interviews
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Education, and Cultural Affairs in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy Ulaanbaatar is bringing a special American Music Abroad (AMA) music diplomacy program to Mongolia as part of the U.S. – Mongolia Year of Youth outreach campaign in May 2019. Aberdeen, an energetic rock brass band from New York City, will hold public concerts by themselves and jointly with local Mongolian performers, and share their knowledge and expertise with the Mongolian music industry as well as the public from May 21-28, 2019.
Leading up to the band’s arrival, media are welcome to request an advance interview with the touring band. The interviews will be scheduled during April 22-30 through online/skype, and the U.S. Embassy in Mongolia will provide assistance in setting the interview.
If you wish to request an interview or if you have questions regarding this media note, please contact the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section in Mongolia at paspress@usembassy.mn, or 7007-6045, 7007-6249.
Facebook: @ExchangeProgramsAtState; @AmericanMusicAbroad; Facebook.com/usembmongolia; #YearOfYouth2019
Instagram: @ExchangeOurWorld; @AmericanMusicAbroad
Twitter: @ECAatState; Twitter.com/usembmongolia; #YearOfYouth2019
Website: Amvoices.org/ama; ECA.State.Gov; https://mn.usembassy.gov/embassy/;
About the Touring Band:
Five-member rock brass band Aberdeen (New York City, NY) is led by saxophonist and songwriter Brian Plautz. The band, featuring two saxophones, guitar, bass, and drums never ceases to fill a room with energy. With a degree from the prestigious Berklee College of Music, Brian is a contributing member of the viral music video production Apartment Sessions and of Broadway Sings, a concert series featuring Broadway actors. In addition to Apartment Sessions, Aberdeen’s high-octane performances have been featured on the popular music theory and educational YouTube channel of award-winning bassist Adam Neely, exploring internet music culture and advanced topics in contemporary music education. Through the band’s YouTube and media exposure, Aberdeen’s music has reached a global audience. Also graduating from Berklee, drummer Sebastian “C-bass” Chiriboga has played with distinguished artists such as Willie Nelson, Frank Foster, and Hillary Jane in locations including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and Jordan Hall. With a Master of Arts in Jazz Studies from the Aaron Copeland School of Music, freelance electric guitarist and producer VJ Brown has been influenced by great rock and jazz legends and works with up-and-coming musical artists on the NY scene. Tenor and baritone saxophonist Jared Yee has played multiple popular festivals across the U.S., including the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival and SXSW. Jared has shared the stage with artists such as Kenny Loggins, Bob Mintzer, and Luis Conte.
Refer to this link for a sample of their music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XpU2JNL7Ls
About American Music Abroad (AMA):
The American Music Abroad Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by the Association of American Voices. American Music Abroad artists represent the new generation of musical ambassadors; reaching beyond concert halls to interact with other musicians and citizens around the globe. Each year, approximately 10 ensembles of American roots music in different genres are selected to embark on a month-long, multi-country tour, where they engage with international audiences through public concerts, interactive performances with local musicians, lectures and demonstrations, workshops, jam sessions, and media interviews.
American Music Abroad activities focus on younger and underserved audiences in countries where people have few opportunities to meet American performers and experience their music first-hand. AMA bands have traveled to more than 100 countries around the world since 2011.
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Mongolian local musicians have the opportunity to collaborate with the touring band. For more information, refer to the link: https://mn.usembassy.gov/ama-2019/
