Music is a versatile and significant tool in diplomacy, serving as a universal language that crosses cultural and linguistic boundaries. Music also serves as a soft power instrument, enhancing a country’s image and fostering a positive perception worldwide, while also acting as a voice for social change. Mutual appreciation is fostered by platforms that allow different societies to share their artistic manifestations, such as concerts, music festivals, and cultural exchanges.
What are some of the trends in musical genres that are impacting cultural perceptions and politics across the globe, from K-Pop and J-Pop to Reggae-ton, Hip-Hop, and Afro-beat?
Please join Paul Klemperer for a “sampler” of regional musical trends and their influence around the globe.
Paul Klemperer was born in Boston and discovered jazz at an early age, sneaking into smoky clubs by age 13. Paul earned his master’s in Ethnomusicology at the University of Texas in 1991. He teaches private and group classes in clarinet & saxophone, jazz history & theory, and issues in music & culture. He also writes fiction and essays on a wide range of topics. Paul has produced five CDs and has toured nationally and internationally for over 30 years. He continues to divide his time between Austin and the road, bringing his soulful saxophone sound across the U.S., Latin America, Europe, and Asia.