U.S. Embassy Brings ‘Hip-Hop Ambassador’ Toni
Blackman to Yogyakarta

January 30, 2006

The U.S. Embassy, in collaboration with the Indonesian musical group Ki Ageng Ganjur, will sponsor a free performance by the Toni Blackman Hip-Hop Ensemble Wednesday, February 1 at 8 p.m. at the Indonesian Art Institute, Jl. Parangtritis KM 6,5, Yogyakarta. The two musical groups will perform together in a very special evening that mixes American hip hop sounds with Javanese beats..

Known for her performance style, the group’s leader Toni Blackman is an international champion of hip-hop culture and the use of “freestyling” as a tool to encourage social responsibility. Blackman’s ensemble features Byron Hankins on bass, Ivan Katz on drums and Jeremy Mage on keyboards.

The band’s performance in Medan is one in a series of concerts and workshops sponsored by the U.S. Embassy throughout Indonesia. Through the U.S. State Department’s American Music Abroad Program titled “Rhythm of the Road,” the Toni Blackman Hip Hop Ensemble will take American hip hop to Jakarta, Aceh, Medan, Yogyakarta and Surabaya.

“The Rhythm Road tour successfully advances cross-cultural awareness and mutual understanding between nations through the universal language of music,” said Derek E. Gordon, President and CEO of Jazz at Lincoln Center, producer of the series. “We are thrilled to be part of the American Music Abroad program to bring our country’s national musical treasures to the world.”

Gordon will also visit Indonesia with the hip-hop group to hold discussions about the use of music to promote mutual understanding and international goodwill.

For more information, contact Gini Adityawati at 3435-9554 or Donna Welton at 3435-9525..

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