KARACHI: Consul General of USA’s ceremonial residence at FJR here was the venue where the Deputy CG John Warner welcomed karachiites on the evening of 2nd October (2018).
People from various locales of the Metropolis converged there to observe Daniel Pearl World Music Day to pay tribute to Wall Street journalist Daniel Pearl and all those journalists who had sacrificed their lives in the line of their duty.
Such musical performances have been held since 2002 all over the world. One may marvel why a melodious homage to a slain pressman? Danny was a talented writer who was adept enough with the written words to make a living in the top ranks of journalism. But it was in music that he found an essential form of expression. A talented violinist, fiddler and mandolin player Danny kept the passion for music ignited throughout his career. During numerous postings all over the world, he joined town bands, orchestras and chamber groups. Consequently, he left behind a long trail of musician friends in cities across the world stretching from Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Atlanta, Paris, Tehran to Mumbai. Daniel Pearl’s family chose music to celebrate the ideals of tolerance, friendship and shared humanity. They formed a foundation to further the ideals that inspired Danny’s life and work, spotlight his love of music to build bridges and create a friendship.
Remarks by Deputy Consul General John Warner:
• I’ve always felt that music and culture have the unique nature to bring people together. They reveal our common humanity, and they allow us to celebrate our aspirations to live together in peace and harmony.
• Music transcends all boundaries, allowing us to enjoy and appreciate different cultural forms. Daniel Pearl was a gifted musician; he truly believed that music had the power to build bridges between people and spread the message of ‘harmony for humanity.” This is for you Danny!
• This concert has become a wonderful tradition, and I couldn’t be happier that Pakistanis and Americans tonight are once again standing together for tolerance, respect, and mutual understanding.
Performers:
KIMBALL GALLAGHER (American Pianist) has risen to prominence as one of the most dynamic and multifaceted pianists on the stage today. His sensitive insights at the keyboard, coupled with his singular entrepreneurial sensibilities, have enabled him to explore a broad scope of creative endeavors. Critics have described him as a “dynamo,” “sunlit and rapturous” and “a lightning bolt,” Gallagher’s sold-out 2008 debut at Carnegie Hall launched his international The 88- Concert Tour, a tour reviving the salon culture through a series of 300+ performances in a variety of non-traditional venues. Gallagher has blazed a trail across the 7 continents, appearing in 30 countries, and has performed in distinguished venues and intimate gatherings all over the world, from the Kennedy Center to Kabul, Bombay to Boulder, Chicago to Shanghai, and Tuscany to Tunisia. The 88 Concert Tour concluded with a culmination recital by Gallagher at Carnegie Hall in 2015, in New York City, leading to initiation of 88 International, an international organization initiating and executing unique musical projects across the globe.
ASIF SINAN is a Pakistani guitarist and singer. He is known for blending Indian classical music with jazz and playing guitar in the style of a sitar. Sinan is a graduate of the National Academy of Performing Arts. Asif Sinan is an alumnus of IVLP entitled “Bringing Social Change through Arts.” He and his band “Jazzical” will perform a medley of popular Pakistani music and American English songs.
Relevant pieces published earlier:
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