HDI Brings American Bluegrass Music to Karachi, Pakistan

Working with U.S. Consulate General Karachi https://pk.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/karachi/ . HDI arranged for the Kentucky Winders to perform and introduce the people of Sindh province, Pakistan to the uniquely American music genre of Bluegrass.  Taking their name from a fiddle tune by the great Kentucky fiddler John Salyer, the Kentucky Winders combine twisted songs, blues, and old-time dance tunes from the American heartland. With its roots in Kentucky and Ohio, their music celebrates the traditions of the Ohio River Valley through a dynamic and exciting range of old-time musical stylings, ranging from driving breakdowns, to greasy blues and peppy rags, to visceral songs of tough times and hard living. Individually, all of the members are award-winning musicians and have been active in traditional music over the past two decades. Together, they offer a fresh and distinctive sound while grounded in the heritage of American roots music.  The band is composed of Seth Folsom on banjo/guitar, Nick Lloyd, on bass, Nikos Pappas on fiddle, and Jessie Wells on guitar/banjo

Upon arrival on August 24th, the group went right to work giving media interview and rehearsing with Pakistani musicians  On the evening of August 25 the Kentucky Winders gave a performance at Music, Art and Dance (MAD) School https://www.karachisnob.com/mad-school-karachi.htm and gave the students their first taste of American Bluegrass.  On August 26, the band organized a music workshop at National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) https://www.napa.org.pk/ and then continued their rehearsals with Pakistani musicians.  In the evening, there was a performance at Pakistan American Cultural Center.

The following day, the Kentucky Winders departed for Hyderabad where they conducted workshops and masterclasses for students and faculty at the Institute of Sindhology, University of Sindh Jamshoro https://usindh.edu.pk/academics/institute-of-sindhology/  .  The Winders did one final concert on the evening of August 28, back in Karachi at the national Academy of performing Arts.