Monday, December 26, 2016

Airlines Ambassadors International Launches into Jordan

Airlines Ambassadors introduced to SOS Orphanages in Aqaba.                                                                                                By Sandy Dhuyvetter

Costume creator Sandy Dhuyvetter, Academy Award Winning Model Maker Lorne Peterson and
Photographer George Powell visit SOS Orphanage with US And Jordanian Team.



Taking Jordan by Storm was an amazing tour of Jordan lasting 8 days as myself and another Lucas/Star Wars designer Lorne Peterson spread the good word of film and travel. We did this with our US Team and friends and fans, Hector Cruz and Rich Appendzeller who brought their Storm Troopers 501st costumes. We were also joined by our official photographer, George Powell. 

Our partnership with Jordanian company, Monaco Business Development undoubtedly gave us the support we needed in Jordan. Mona Naffa and our Jordanian Team were amazing. After we landed into Amman everything was handled, from our expediting process at the airport, to our guide and drivers and including touring, accommodations and the organizing of our autograph signing, presentations and meeting government officials like the US Ambassador, Alice Wells and Princess Dana Firas. We are very grateful to Mona, Eva and Sami for their kindness and diligence on his important project.

The sign outside the SOS Orphanage in Aqaba

We were able to hit the road running each day making new friends and honoring Jordan for the exquisite backdrops it has provided for world class films. In the end, we have a message. We want travelers to know that Jordan is safe, welcoming and vibrant with new and innovative companies emerging in every industry. Known as the Switzerland of the Middle East, it is unique and it continues to woe even the most timid of travelers.

Sandy being escorted into the Orphanage with 2 members the 501st 

Perhaps the most memorable stop on our voyage across Jordan was to the SOS Orphanage Village in Aqaba were we autographed photos of costumes and models that both Lorne and I had worked on for George Lucas.

I was particularly interested in the SOS model because as a board member of Airline Ambassadors International, I was curious to see if we could help with a visit to the orphanages in Jordan and in some small way make their tasks easier.

 
Storm Troopers along with Mona Naffa (second row on right) Sandy Dhuyvetter (bottom row middle) George Powell (bottom row 5th from right) and Lorne Peterson (bottom row right)

The SOS model is to create a family home for each child. Children who grow up at a SOS orphanage do so with an SOS mother or SOS parents, and sisters and brothers. The SOS aunts (directors), who are part of the village, support SOS mothers in caring for their children. In turn, SOS families are part of supportive communities. These communities are called SOS Children's Villages. The one in Aqaba had 9 houses in the village.


Storm Troopers saying hello to the Mom's.

We had fun playing and visiting with the children. Watching their excitement as they met the Storm Troopers was worth the trip to Jordan. I seriously wanted to take each one home.  However, seeing the SOS operation, we were certain the children's high success rate into the society was due to a real understanding and implementation of an effective and thriving social and business model. SOS is a worldwide organization and I hope that 2017 will bring much success and happiness to every house in all the SOS villages. 

Sandy and Lorne visiting one of the homes in the SOS Village! 



Airline Ambassadors International will be offering the Taking Jordan by Storm Tour this coming May to all of it's members. The May date is beloved by all Star Wars fans as May the 4th. You can be sure the tour will be doing something very special on that date. During the tour guests will be visiting film locations in Jordan and also the SOS orphanage.

If you are interested in this trip, please contact us regarding: AAI Jordan 2017 Taking Jordan by Storm Tour at 
Airline Ambassadors International at: nancy@airlineamb.org or Sandy@TravelTalkMEDIA.com. Monaco Business Development is our partner in Jordan. NaffaMona@yahoo.com

Special thanks to Ferial Nabas, Assistant Village Director - SOS Childrend's Village Aqaba.


Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Sadness in Jordan after attack at Karak

My name is Sandy Dhuyvetter, I am a Travel writer, Artist and Musician who lives in Northern Michigan in one of the more desirable places in the world, Leelanau County. Mona Naffa is the Director of Monaco Business Development in Aman, Jordan. Together we designed the Taking Jordan by Storm Tour.
Mona Naffa and Sandy Dhuyvetter, Designers
of the Taking Jordan by Storm Tour
The news came to us as we were departing Jordan after a perfect 8 day tour. Karak had been the site of a drive by shooting where cowardly killers decided to take the lives of innocent officers and a tourist from Canada. There is a deep sadness in us especially knowing that we came to Jordan to help promote tourism and shout the joys of knowing Jordan. 
George Powell, Sandy Dhuyvetter, Lorne Peterson, our guide
Mohammad Qamhiya, Rich Appenzeller and Hector Cruz
If there was ever an appropriate name for our tour, Taking Jordan by Storm was it. We arrived after hours of travel and accommodations with Royal Jordanian to be greeted at the airport by perhaps Jordan's best tour guide, Mohammad Qamhiya. We were then rushed to our first event, the tasting of the Jordan River wines which immediately brought the group together with lovely conversation and delicious sipping of the grape beverage. At that point, the journey began with 8 days of touring, signing autographs and meeting hundreds of Jordanians.
Me and Lorne Peterson
Our team consisted of five members from the US. We left Dec 9 with academy award winning master model maker, Lorne Peterson, my self, known as Momma Fett, our photographer George Powell and two storm troopers who are great fans of the star wars franchise, Hector Cruz and Rich Appenzeller. Four of the visitors were taking their maiden voyage to Jordan, I was the one who was blessed with 5 trips to Jordan in the past 10 years. I knew how exciting and life changing it would be for my companions, but stopped at vocalizing or pontificating about Jordan so that each could discover this land on their own. I wanted it to be a pure discovery without prompting from me in a way that might bias their experience. It didn't take long for their experiences to be shared. Each were over come with the hospitality, the warm welcoming and the richness of their experiences. Stories were emerging of experiences that would seem to leave one or more of the group in awe of their discovery. The wondering and anticipation of the group was quickly turning to pure awe. We were witnessing our companions, as we had ourselves transformed during our first visitgone through on our first visit a life changing experience redefining the stereotypical definition of what life is like in Jordan. 

From the first site of Jordan at the moment of our arrival until we said our emotional good byes, we were captivate and entranced with the welcoming and the abundant care shown by our host, Mona Naffa and her team Sami Kattan and Eva Al-Sunna.

This brings us back to facing daily facts that bad things can and do happen in good places. We must mourn our loss and bury our dead as heroes and then we must carry on and continue to discover this beautiful world in places like Jordan who are so deserving and offer the traveler riches only a visit can deliver.


Visit Jordan soon!

This is the start of my story of Taking Jordan by Storm....please join me on our journey with Academy Award winning Model Maker, Lorne Peterson, Sandy Dhuyvetter along with our US and Jordanian Team.

Sandy Dhuyvetter,
Artist, Musician and Travel Journalist.
Sandy Dhuyvetter AKA Momma Fett


Thursday, December 1, 2016

Airline Ambassadors International Joins Growing Number of Supporters by Offering Resources for the Taking Jordan by Storm Tour

Airline Ambassadors International members at Sabre Holdings
Training on Human Trafficking Awareness
This week Sandy Dhuyvetter, co- organizer of the December 2016 campaign called Taking Jordan by Storm Tour announced that Airline Ambassadors International, a non-profit organization based in Washington DC, would be supporting the celebrity tour. The upcoming Tour will also be bringing signed autographs and art supplies to the orphanages.

President and founder of Airline Ambassadors, Nancy Rivard remarked, “We are delighted to support this positive message about Jordan. How very exciting to discover and visit film locations in this remarkable country. In addition, we are exceptionally pleased to see that the tour will end with a wonderful visit to local orphanages”. Sandy Dhuyvetter, co-organizer of the Tour said, “It is gratifying to have a partners like Airline Ambassadors International who are focused on making a difference in the lives of children. Airline Ambassadors International membership is primarily flight attendants and they thrive on lending a hand by giving resources and hope to the many regions in the world who have worked tirelessly for the good of children and world peace. Jordan is such a country”.

Following the Dec 10 – 16 Taking Jordan by Storm Tour, Monaco Business Development and Sandy Dhuyvetter Consulting will be moving forward with the 2nd celebrity tour in May. Fans and travelers will be invited to re-trace the film locations visited by this first tour this upcoming December with master model maker Lorne Peterson and costume creator, Sandy Dhuyvetter. The dates planned in 2017 will be coinciding with events around the 4thof May. May the 4th has long been known as a festive day celebrated by Star War fans around the world.

Taking Jordan by Storm Dec 10 – 16, 2016:
The tour will coincide with the Premier of the new film, Rogue One opening in the US, this upcoming December 16th. Fans in Jordan will be celebrating the event by welcoming two US artists at the local premiere Dec 15. Lorne Peterson and Sandy Dhuyvetter will be presenting to the Star Wars Fans before the premiere and in the days following while on tour across Jordan.

For more information go to:
www.TravelTalkMeda.com/Jordan2016

For more information on Airline Ambassadors go to: www.Airlineamb.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=monaco%20business%20development https://www.facebook.com/airlineamb/


Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Star Wars Academy Award Winning Model Maker, Lorne Peterson
and Sandy Dhuyvetter, AKA Momma Fett
join Celebrity Tour in Jordan this December
Sandy Dhuyvetter and Lorne Petersen

San Francisco – This week TravelTalkMEDIA announced final preparation plans were in the works for the Taking Jordan by Storm Campaign. The tour will coincide with the Premier of the new film, Rogue One opening in the US, this upcoming December 16th. Fans in Jordan will be celebrating the event by welcoming two US artists at the local premiere Dec 15. Lorne Peterson and Sandy Dhuyvetter will be presenting to the Star Wars Fans before the premiere and in the days following while on tour across Jordan.

TravelTalkMEDIA and Monaco Business Development from Jordan are working to create campaigns that attract tourism. Monaco Business Development president, Mona Naffa said, “Our teams are delighted to have brought this project to fruition. Clearly the world is excited about the Star War films and their super heroes. We are delighted to share with the Star Wars fans here in Jordan, these two gifted artists who will join us to share interesting and behind the scenes stories of creating some of the most iconic images for the Star Wars franchise.

Lorne Peterson is one of the original members of Industrial Light & Magic having been hired in 1975 to create the models for Star Wars. Since that time, he has worked on most of George Lucas’ films as well as many of Steven Spielberg’s productions. Mr. Petersen will be sharing his many years of working in the industry and will fascinate the audiences with his wonderful photographs and stories that are humorous and most interesting.

Sandy Dhuyvetter will be presenting her story starting with working on More American Graffiti and then later on BobaFett’s costume. Ms. Dhuyvetter said, “Jordan is a very special country and we are thrilled to be coming to Amman for the premiere of Rogue On. We also want to share with the world that Jordan is an amazing country to visit. It is beautiful and exciting and has served as a backdrop for International films for decades.”

While in Jordan, Mr. Petersen and Ms. Dhuyvetter will be accompanied by 2 Storm Troopers from the 501st. The Storm Troopers costumes will be worn by US based fans Hector Cruz and Rich Appenzeller. The US tour includes their official US photographer, George Powell and the Monaco Team who will be touring the country making visits and signing autographs.

For more information go to:
www.TravelTalkMeda.com/Jordan2016

About Monaco Business Development:
Monaco Business Development is made up of energetic and talented women with diverse backgrounds. The Americans, Jordanians, and European ladies bring a fresh vibrant look into the story of Jordan with a fun and attractive twist— Follow Monaco Business Development on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MonacoBD/

About Lorne Petersen:
In 1978, Lorne was asked by George Lucas to move to northern California to head the production of models for Empire Strikes Back. He has since then been the recipient of an Academy Award and the British Academy Award for the special effect work he did for Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

Lorne holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Art from California State University at Long Beach. Aside from the work he has done for Industrial Light & Magic, he has done industrial design modelmaking for McDonaldLand, JBL Speakers, Kikkoman, Yamaha Snowmobiles and the feature movie China Syndrome.

About Sandy Dhuyvetter:
Most people know Joe Johnston, either through his work on Star Wars or his later work as a director of his own movies.  In comparison, few people know Sandy Dhuyvetter’s relationship to Boba Fett, but her contributions to the iconic bounty hunter are just as significant and perhaps even more well-known!  If Joe Johnston is Boba Fett’s “dad” (No Jango Fett jokes, please), then Sandy is surely “Momma Fett”. (Taken from the Dented Hemet Website).
Sandy was responsible for painting 3 of the original 6 Boba Fett costumes, including the one seen on the original Kenner Boba Fett figure packaging as well as the Return of the Jedi Boba Fett helmet! 
Sandy has a degree in Art from Arizona State University. She taught Art at Rivera Jr High  in Pico Rivera, CA before heading to San Francisco to work with Lucas. Sandy also headed a successful Multi Media Company in the Bay area for many years. She is widely known for her radio and reporting on International travel on TravelTalkRADIO and TravelTalkMEDIA and her humanitarian work to help bring awareness to the world wide crimes involving Human Trafficking.

MEDIA CONTACT:

US Press
Sandy Dhuyvetter: sandy@traveltalkmedia.com
Phone: 415 806 5740
Jordan Mona Naffa
Email: 
naffamona@yahoo.com
Phone: +962796600962

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Monaco Business Development Team Continues to Highlight Life in Jordan with Award Winning Events and a New Exciting Celebrity Tour.

Celebrating 2 Breaking World Records, the Unveiling of the First Green Park in Amman, 
and Now May We Present, Monaco’s Celebrity Tours.

November 01, 2016 – Amman, Jordan – Monaco Business Development announced this week that the company is extremely pleased with its outreach and successful results of the past 2 years. Breaking two world records and receiving a world award within a years’ time affirms that indeed the company is on the track to continue its successful bid to project Jordan as a world class family destination. These events are glimpses into the gracious spirit of Jordan, all the while welcoming travelers to one of the most beloved countries in the world, Jordan.

The Guinness World Records organization awarded two Monaco’s events; one for creating the ‘Largest Human Floating Image in a Sea’ which was portrayed by Jordanian communities coming together to create a peace sign on the Dead Sea. The second world record came from Guinness World Records for the ‘Longest Slip and Slide’ built in Jordan by Jordanians to showcase Jordan as a family fun destination.
Another success came this past year when Monaco successfully kicked off its ‘Dream Green Campaign’ with festivities surrounding the inauguration of the National Gallery of Fine Arts Park in Amman. The ‘model’ park is ideal for others to follow”, said organizer and president of Monaco Business Development, Mona Naffa. ”The guidelines designed and used for Jordanian public spaces and the sustainable use of solar panels, water conservation plants, recycle bins and management, embraces the environmental theme of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”. The Dream Green Event won the International award of World Wide Green Award October 2016.

In the pipeline for fourth quarter of 2016 is the launch of the Taking Jordan by Storm Tour. Two of George Lucas’s model and costume makers will come to Jordan along with 501st Storm Troopers to introduce the premiere and tour the country to promote tourism. In 2017 the Monaco Team plans to expand the Star Wars tours to the many fans of the story and movies and will welcome them to the star studded film locations in Jordan.
Monaco Business Development is made up of energetic and talented women with diverse backgrounds. The Americans, Jordanians, and European ladies bring a fresh vibrant look into the story of Jordan with a fun and attractive twist—

The Monaco Team
Mona Naffa is at the helm of the organization and oversees the operation.

At the heart of each project is Barbara Kamal. Barbara left behind her career as a Real Estate Broker with Coldwell Banker of Southern California when she switched gears in 2007 and relocated to Amman, Jordan. Today Barbara is a partner at MONACO. Barbara shares her knowledge of marketing, merchandising and finance and is a driving force in attracting new projects.

Eva Al-Sunna, a project manager, concentrates on Social Media at MONACO where she uses the online tools to attract attention to all the projects at MONACO.

Sandy Dhuyvetter, well known journalist and artist in the US also serves with MONACO team in the capacity as writer, media producer and US distribution manager.


Follow Monaco Business Development on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MonacoBD/

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Weather Channel Photo Contest 2016

Contestant Weather Channel Photo Contest 2016

George Powell of Northport, Michigan is much more than a photographer, a bender of wood and a musician. In fact, he seems more like an Artist who happens to work in multiple mediums. The common denominator in his work is how he blends and highlights the perfections of mother nature, whether it is designing and building boats, carving replicas of a butterfly chrysalis, or taking photographs.

This is my favorite photo and is George Powell's (Plankster) other entry in this year’s Weather Channel Photo Contest. It is called 'Iceman'. Please look closely at it, it is an amazing looking creature made of mother natures spinning wind and ice.
In his day job, George restores historic wooden boats in Suttons Bay, Michigan. Recently one of his restored Coast Guard Boats appeared as the star in Disney’s film, The Finest Hours. 
On the set of The Finest Hours

After Staring in Disney's The finest Hours, a well used and tired boat
returned to the Suttons Bay boatyard for another refurbishing by George Powell and his team. 
In July of 2016, it was brought into its new home in South Haven Michigan
at the Michigan Maritime Museum

If you like George's photo of the 'Iceman',  Please visit the link http://bit.ly/2amDWPe and vote for the photo, you can search his photos by entering “Plankster”). I’m the one who encouraged him to enter the photos, so I’d appreciate your support. He’s not one to boast or show off so help me out if you can. You can vote once a day, which seems a bit odd but still appreciate your votes, as many as you can cast.

.... Sandy Dhuyvetter

Author, Mark D. Van Ells introduces us to his new book, America and WWI: A Travelers Guide.

Mark D. Van Ells is Professor of History at Queensborough Community College of the City University of New York.

He received his Ph.D. in History from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1999, and is a native of the Badger State.  Prior to his position at Queensborough, he taught for Mt. Senario College and the University of Wisconsin – Platteville.

Dr. Van Ells also served as Archivist/Historian at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum in Madison from 1994 to 1998.  Among his duties at the museum was the conduct of the Wisconsin Veterans Oral History Program, in which he interviewed nearly 200 veterans who served in conflicts ranging from World War I to Somalia.

His research specialties include the cultural history of U.S. military, immigration and ethnicity, World War II, and popular culture.


America and WWI: A Travelers Guide

http://markdvanells.com/

International Entrepreneurial Women Come Together to Brand Jordan Region as Peaceful, Welcoming and Fun.

MONACO Business Development an International team of entrepreneurial women announced their business strategy this week from their offices in Amman, Jordan. 

Producing out-of-the-box solutions to positively brand and build awareness of Jordan will continue to be the focus for the later part of the year. One of the original hallmark strategies of the organization will also stay in place and that is, all solutions would be built in Jordan by Jordanians using Jordan’s talent and natural resources.

Leadership:
MONACO Business Development is led by Mona Naffa an American born Jordanian. Mona brings her passion, focus, and experience to the group and embraces the best of Western practices. She then blends them into the Eastern culture creating campaigns highlighting the good and positive life in Jordan. Her early career in the US was based in
 hospitality, telecommunications and the pharmaceutical/health industry. Later when she moved to Jordan in 2006, Mona set her sights on Tourism and Hospitality and introduced Expedia and Trip Advisor to Jordan 2007,  Mona built a successful partnership with Expedia as their Destination Manager where her tourism offerings are still highlighted as the preferred Expedia answer.

Tourism:
MONACO Business Development is fast becoming known as the welcoming voice of Jordan. What you have”, says Naffa, “is a situation where many people view the culture in relation to where the country is located rather than the reality that Jordan is peaceful, welcoming and highly accomplished. Our intention is to change that point of view and create a brand that is based on the truth that Jordan is thriving in terms of a positive and social environment.”

Events:
The first successful event, The Dead Sea Mud Festival" in early May of 2014 featured the Dead Sea Jordan as a Destination and the therapeutic Dead Sea muds and salts as one of  Jordan’s most important resource made in Jordan.

The second event in October 2014 raised the bar where the Monaco Team presented Jordan with a Guinness World Record, as they produced "The Largest Human Floating Image -- a Peace Sign" and was then featured in the Guinness World Book of Records Annual Book in 2016.  

In 2015 again Monaco Business Development presented Jordan with another Guinness World Record by producing the Longest Slip & Slide in the World.  “This is what we mean by 'out-of-the-box and unique campaigns” said Naffa, “these are the messages that feature Jordan as a Family Fun Destination for all to enjo
y.” 

Environment:
The events and projects created by the Monaco Team have a universal thread and that is the team’s commitment to protect the environment and educate communities by bringing to light awareness of day to day issues. Recycling services are offered at each venue of every event. Educational materials are also developed and distributed to orphanages on behalf of Monaco and more in the future is planned.

Dovetailing two industry sectors:
Dovetailing two industry sectors like the environment and tourism is first and foremost in the minds of the Monaco team. Positive perceptions are at the heart of decision making for travelers. A clean and healthy Jordan is a positive step to attracting additional visitors
.

Upcoming Goals:
The Monaco Team’s next ambitious goal is to invite Celebrities to Jordan and provide those celebrities with an opportunity to explore Jordan. “We know”, said Ms. Naffa, “that these guests will bring a bit of Hollywood glamour and Paparazzi to our deserving nation. We are also confident when our celebrity guests visit Jordan their expectations will far exceed any prior travel experience.  Ms Nafa reminds us “if Academy Award Winner Leonardo Di Caprio takes his holiday in Jordan then it must be ‘cool and welcoming destination”.

Yahoo Music, senior editor Kevin Polowy wrote in a September 29, 2015 feature:
Matt Damon — who plays an astronaut stranded on Mars for more than a year — was blown away by the natural landscapes: “I was in awe of that place, it was really, really special,” he said. “One of the most spectacular and beautiful places I have ever seen, and like nothing I’ve ever seen anywhere else on Earth.”

The Monaco Team
Mona Naffa is at the helm of the organization and oversees the operation.

At the heart of each project is Barbara Kamal. Barbara left behind her career as a Real Estate Broker with Coldwell Banker of Southern California when she switched gears in 2007 and relocated to Amman, Jordan. Today Barbara is a partner at MONACO. Barbara shares her knowledge of marketing, merchandising and finance and is a driving force in attracting new projects.

Eva Al-Sunna, a project manager, concentrates on Social Media at MONACO where she uses the online tools to attract attention to all the projects at MONACO.

Sandy Dhuyvetter, well known journalist and artist in the US also serves with MONACO team in the capacity as writer, media producer and US distribution manager.


MEDIA CONTACT:
Mona Naffa
Email:
naffamona@yahoo.com
Phone: +962796600962

US Press Sandy Dhuyvetter:
sandy@traveltalkmedia.com

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Amman, Jordan, Jazz Capital of the Region Kicks off 5th Edition of the Amman Jazz Festival April 24 – May 1, 2016

Proud of our Jordanian partners who are working to promote the good of Jordan. This important region gives us hope for a better tomorrow and Jordan shows us that there is no better way to live life than to the fullest! Celebrate Jordan with me! warm regards, Sandy Dhuyvetter


The main stage performances will be taking place 24th April thru 27th April 2016 at Haya Cultural Centre, with side performances titled “Madina Jazz”. These smaller venues will be set up throughout the duration of the festival until the 1st of May.  

Opening night, April 24, kicks off with Jordanian virtuoso, Ms. Farah Siraj. Ms Siraj is known as the Norah Jones of the Middle East” by the New York Times. Ms. Farah Siraj balances a career that spans the United States, Europe and the Middle East, spreading the message of peace through her music and giving a voice to women and children around the world who are living in war and poverty.

The Festival is the single major event dedicated to Jazz in Jordan.
The Festival is the single major event dedicated to Jazz in Jordan. The goals of the festival are to attract musicians, attract new audiences and expand internationally all the while creating opportunities for sustainable cultural exchanges. The Festival celebrates diversity, cultural fusion, creativity, unity and dialogue. The event features international, regional and local Jazz musicians to present their artistry to the Jordanian audience. This year during the 5th edition, the Amman Jazz Festival will be presenting different forms of Jazz music focusing on collaborations that reflect fresh new sounds.

The EU supports the Amman Jazz Festival
The EU supports the Amman Jazz Festival, with a special night being dedicated to presenting Jazz music from Europe on the 26th of April at Haya Cultural Centre, under the name of “A Night of European Jazz” featuring REK Raed el Khazen & Daniele Camarda in a joint project bringing four musicians together from Lebanon and Italy, the German trumpet and piano player Sebastian Studnitzky in a solo piano performance of classical jazz, and NO Blues from the Netherlands which combines oriental Arabic roots with folk blues.

2016 Music Festivals adds to the already diverse Tourism offering in Jordan
Jordan looks at Music Festivals as an added value experience while touring the Kingdoms diverse cultural, adventure, eco-tourism and wellness choices.

Jordan tourism is appealing to a diverse traveller by offering Festivals throughout the 2016 calendar year and hopes to continue to attract new and young visitors to the Kingdom. “Jordan is a jewel, full of talented entertainers, amazing foods, and terrific sites” says Mona Naffa, of Monaco Business Development a company that creates Campaigns to share the ‘positive of Jordan. Ms Naffa added, “Petra, the new Wonder of the World, along with the music scene in the Kingdom is on the must do list.

MFunded by the European Union, which is implemented by the EU National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) in Jordan whose members include: the British Council, Instituto Cervantes, Institut Francais, Goethe Institute, Embassy of Greece, Embassy of Romania and Societa Dante Alighieri. In Partnership with: the Netherlands Embassy in Jordan, Al Mawred Al Thaqafi, Haya Cultural Center and Fonds Podium FPK

Farah Siraj
(Jordan/Spain)
Ms Farah Siraj currently leads an ethnically diverse quintet of “Arabian Flamenco Jazz” (Rolling Stone Magazine), embracing the music of the Middle East, Spain and the United States.  Farah's releases include her album NOMAD (funded personally by His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan), The Arabian Jazz Project (landing Farah to be chosen as one of New York's “Stars of Jazz”) and her latest release, Dunya. Farah has shared the stage with India's most renowned composer, A.R. Rahman, performing Zariya live on MTV.
Farah Siraj (Voice & Flamenco Guitar), Tareq Jundi (Oud), Munther Jaber (Bass), Maher Hanhan (Percussion/Drums), special appearance by Kamal Musallam (Oriental Guitar), and special guest Rami Attallah (Piano). www.farahsiraj.com 

Rami Attallah Group presenting Shokran Jazzilan (Egypt)
'Shokran Jazzilan’ is an Egyptian Jazz project that has a unique sound which aims at preserving the beauty of Egyptian melody accompanied by oud within a jazz context. The project founder Rami Attallah, has been heavily influenced by his late grandfather Labib Henien, the founder of jazz in Egypt in the 1960s. Rami Attallah grew up absorbing jazz from bebop to bossa nova to swing. This newly formed unique project has the qualities of being acknowledged as a world class entity fit enough to be part of jazz festivals worldwide.
The ‘Shokran Jazzilan’ album was released in 2014 at the Cairo Jazz Festival under the slogan “When Pharaohs Play Jazz” and was a best seller at Virgin Megastores in Egypt. The project was performed in many renowned venues in Cairo.
Rami Attallah (Piano and Composition), Mohamed Abozekry (Oud), Ehab Tass (Bass), Muhammad Raafat (Drums). www.RamiAttallah.com

NO Blues (Netherlands)
NO blues is the crossroad where folk-blues and Arabic music meet. In 2004 Anne-Maarten van Heuvelen (double bass/ lead vocals), Haytham Safia (Oud, Arabic lute/ lead vocals) and Ad van Meurs (guitar/ lead vocals), got together to combine American folk blues and traditional Arabic music. Completing the line-up in the first recording sessions, NO Blues is joined by Osama Meleegi (percussion/ lead vocals). After ten years on the road, gigs from India to Mexico, and six successful album releases, the band that combines two different is still going strong.
The NO blues fan base grows every day by people who hear the band for the first time and are moved by what seems impossible. www.noblues.nl   

REK (Lebanon/Italy)
Beirut-born Raed El-Khazen is a seasoned, versatile guitarist who has, in the past 20 years, accumulated a portfolio that has catapulted him from a local guitar celebrity in the mid 90’s to one of the most prolific producers/composers/guitarists in the Arab world today.
During his time at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Raed met a great musician who he still collaborates with to this day; Daniele Camarda. Their musical partnership started in 1998 in the school’s rehearsal rooms and continues to grow globally, Eighteen years later, their current project is a combination of their love for the American songbook and their vision to always give any material a personal twist, producing a sound that is both fed by their present experiences and fueled by works of the past.
REK: Jazz Standards with a Mediterranean Flair! Joining them on this venture is Italian drummer Carmine Casciello and Lebanese trumpet player Walid Sadek.

Studnitzky Ky (Germany)
Studnitzky has always been moving between the realms of jazz, classical and electronic music. In his unique music not a single note is superfluous. It is detailed, minimalistic and transparent, yet it displays an emotional depth which is uniquely personal. STUDNITZKY is already an internationally acclaimed performer of the highest level on both trumpet and piano.
In 2012 he founded Contemplate, his own record label and network. In 2014 he initiated the XJAZZ Festival Berlin and took charge as its musical director. It immediately became Berlin’s largest jazz festival and turned the German jazz scene on its head. Since September 2014 Sebastian Studnitzky has been a professor for Jazz-trumpet at the Dresden University of Music.
Sebastian Studnitzky (Trumpet, Piano), Laurenz Karsten (Guitar), Paul Kleber (Bass), Tim Sarhan (Drums).

Noha Fekry (Egypt)
Noha Fekry is an Egyptian singer, songwriter and composer. Noha first appeared as one of the two front singers of the Riff band, one of the leading Jazz/oldies bands in Egypt. Fekry's genres of focus have been Jazz and Arabic Jazz and her first album was released in May 2015 entitled "A Conversation", a duo Jazz album with pianist Rami Attallah.
She is currently working on her second album with her newest musical project "Janan", an alternative rock band. 
Noha received vocal training with renowned Opera Singers Dr. Sobhi Bidair and Dr. Raouf Zidan and is currently an understudy pianist with Mr. Rashad Fahim.
Noha Fekry (Vocals), Rami Attallah (Piano and Composition), Ehab Tass (Bass), Muhammad Raafat (Drums)

The Amman Jazz Festival is produced by Orange Red Productions
For Information: Lama Hazboun
Orange Red Productions:  +962795351812



Media Contacts:
Monaco Business Development
Jordan  Mona Naffa

US press Representative: 
TravelTalkRADIO, TravelTalkMEDIA
Sandy Dhuyvetter
sandy@traveltalkmedia.com
Aman Jazz Festival: www.ammanjazzfestival.com  





24/4

8 PM

Haya Cultural Centre

Farah Siraj (Jordan/Spain) – JD 20
25/4

8 PM

Haya Cultural Centre
Rami Attallah Group presenting
Shokran Jazzilan (Egypt) – JD 5
26/4

8 PM

Haya Cultural Centre
A Night of European Jazz
REK |Sebastian Studnitzky| NO Blues
(Lebanon/Italy |Germany |Netherlands)
FREE ENTRY
27/4

8 PM

Haya Cultural Centre

Studnitzky -KY- (Germany) – JD 5
Amman Jazz Festival – Main Stage Program (24 – 27 April)


Amman Jazz Festival - Madina Jazz Program (22 April – 1 May)
22/4
9 PM
Maestro Late Night Jazz
The Jazz Group  -  guest Kamal Musallam (Jordan)
24/4
9 PM
Corner’s Pub
Rami Attallah Group presenting
Shokran Jazzilan (Egypt)
25/4
9 PM
Blue Fig 
NO Blues (Netherland)
6:30 PM
Maestro Late Night Jazz
Jazz Clinic by REK (Italy/Lebanon)
9 PM
Maestro Late Night Jazz
Studnitzky – KY
#irtijalat Jam sessions with local musicians
26/4
9 PM
Maestro Late Night Jazz
Rami Attallah Group presenting
Shokran Jazzilan (Egypt)
27/4
9:30 PM
Trader Vic’s
Noha Fekry Jazz Quartet (Egypt)
9 PM
Maestro Late Night Jazz
REK (Italy/Lebanon)
28/4
7:30 PM
Shoman Foundation
NO Blues (Netherland)
9 PM
Maestro Late Night Jazz
Noha Fekry Jazz Quartet (Egypt)

29/4
9 PM
Maestro Late Night Jazz
NO Blues (Netherland)
30/4
9 PM
Blue Fig
Noha Fekry Jazz Quartet (Egypt)
1/5
7:30 PM
 The Boulevard
Noha Fekry Jazz Quartet (Egypt)