Embassy-Sponsored Viva!Musica Festival Features Texas Jazz Singer

July 28, 2008

American performers -- Texas jazz singer Kellye Gray (July 25) and New Orleans jazz trumpeter and vocalist Abram Wilson (July 31) -- join their Slovak and other international counterparts in presenting an eclectic evening concert series for all music lovers to enjoy. Sponsored in part by the U.S. Embassy, Viva!Musica, Bratislava’s largest international summer music festival, offers nine evenings of classical and contemporary musical performances, ranging from symphony concerts and chamber music to opera and jazz, between July 24 and August 1, right in the heart of Bratislava’s Old Town. A selection of Hollywood composer John Williams’ most famous works performed by the Slovak Philharmonic kicked off the third annual festival on Bratislava’s Main Square. Public Affairs Officer Ed Kemp spoke at the Kellye Gray concert July 25 on behalf of the Embassy: “We wanted to contribute to this summer festival -- now in its third year -- because it is a wonderful event for all citizens, young and not-so-young, and for the many international visitors who are here in summer,” Kemp said. “For me, the contributions that the City of Bratislava makes to cultural life throughout the year are truly inspiring.”