Posted 17 ноября 2008,, 06:09

Published 17 ноября 2008,, 06:09

Modified 17 сентября 2022,, 14:17

Updated 17 сентября 2022,, 14:17

“I Heard Jazz In The USSR”

17 ноября 2008, 06:09
This intriguing confession was made by the U.S. Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador in Russia, John Beyrly, while visiting Vladivostok

VLADIVOSTOK. 17 November. VOSTOK-MEDIA. John Beyrly is visiting the Russian Far East on 16-19, November; the capital of Primorye, Vladivostok is one of the places Mr Beyrly wants to visit. It is the first time Mr Beyrly has come to Primorye since his appointment in May, 2008.

While Mr Beyrly in Vladivostok he will hold several meetings with regional leaders, businessmen, students and lecturers of the educational establishments.

Mr Beyrly has already participated in one of the cultural events, The V International Jazz Festival, which was held on 14-16, November in Primorskiy Krai Philharmonic Hall. At the final performance where The Sound Merchants Featuring Solomon Dorsey jazz band by Alvin Atkinson played wonderful jazz, Mr John Beyrly made a sensational confession. For the first time in his life he heard jazz when he came to the Soviet Union in the 1970s.He said that his family used to listen to classic or pop music and never to jazz. All Leningrad citizens listened to jazz at the time. His friends bought discs and cassettes.

“Of course, I knew about jazz and Lois Armstrong, - says Mr Beyrly, - but my parents listened to rock music like The Beatles or The Rolling Stones. I remember the time when I heard The Blood and The Sweat and Tears. I felt it was something new, something interesting.

I lived in the dormitory when in Leningrad and had a few fans of jazz, but not real jazzmen. They were surprised to know that i had never listened to jazz before”.

“I want to say that in the Soviet time the American radio “The Voice of America” was broadcasted in your country. The Soviet government was trying to jam the broadcasts, though, people listened to it. I think it influenced your people. So, due to your country I fell in love with jazz! I am now collecting discs and CDs”.

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