New Jazz Quartet Tours Russia
Location: Moscow, Saratov, Samara and Ufa
Dates: February 07-15, 2006
On February 7-15 as part of its European tour, New York jazz quartet Grupo Yanqui gave concerts in Moscow, Saratov, Samara and Ufa. The U.S. State Department and U.S. Embassy in Moscow organized the tour after the group won an important music award at New York's Lincoln Center. The quartet played first in Moscow at Spaso House, and then in Saratov, Samara and Ufa. The group played music appropriated from traditional Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and American styles, written by quartet members — bassist Gregory Ryan, keyboardist, composer and producer, Bennett Paster, who is one of New York City's most creative and versatile musicians. The group also consists of trumpet player Jim Seeley and drummer Keith Hall. The group combines new and traditional music into an energetic, exciting and unique Latin Jazz.