US Secretary of State Blinken plays a slow guitar

At an event to launch a music dipolmacy initiative, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken took up an electric guitar and played, with safe and rather plodding tempi, a Muddy Waters number.

His support acts included Herbie Hancock, Dave Grohl, Denyce Graves and Jamie Barton.

I couldn’t pass up tonight’s opportunity to combine music and diplomacy. Was a pleasure to launch @StateDept’s new Global Music Diplomacy Initiative. pic.twitter.com/6MUfTXO9xK

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) September 28, 2023

Blinken said: ‘Ee’re opening a new chapter of music diplomacy by launching the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative. This initiative will use music to support inclusive economic growth, to expand access to education, to build more resilient societies, and will start with three new efforts.

‘First, the State Department will begin a new partnership with the Recording Academy. Together we’ll start a mentorship program to bring producers, sound engineers, talent agents, festival promoters, other music professionals together with leading experts in those fields from the United States. We’ll also launch the Peace Through Music Award to celebrate Americans who are using music to support cultural exchange and grow mutual understanding between people across the planet. Tonight, we’ll recognize our inaugural awardee.

‘Second, the State Department is formally incorporating music into the English language classes that we offer around the world. This is one of our most popular programs. So we’re going to include American songs and lyrics in the curriculum. We’ll share our diverse culture. We’ll help students improve their English fluency.

‘Finally, we’re creating a new Fulbright Award for an artist in residence at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. There we’ll have artists and scientists from other nations teaming up with Americans and exploring how to use art to benefit our people, our environment, and our societies.’