Bluegrass music is one of the most unique American forms of music. It originated in the Appalachian region of the US among Scottish, Irish and English immigrants. Bluegrass developed from the traditional music of these immigrants and today also incorporates jazz elements. Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash are among the famous US performers who have sung bluegrass songs.

The band will also hold master classes at music schools in Tashkent and Urgench where they will collaborate with local students and musicians. The concert in Tashkent will feature joint performances with Uzbekistani musicians.

When Della Mae started performing in 2009, it was the only all-women bluegrass band on the US touring scene. One of the main goals of Della Mae is to showcase strong women in bluegrass. Della Mae has toured throughout the US and its individual members in different parts of the world, playing at festivals, music clubs and house concerts and conducting workshops. Members include Kimber Ludiker (fiddle), Celia Woodsmith (vocals/guitar), Shelby Means (bass), Jenni Lyn (guitar) and Courtney Hartman (guitar/vocals/banjo).

The group’s Central Asia tour is part of the State Department’s American Music Abroad program, an exchange that features a wide variety of American musical genres through international cultural exchange initiatives. The program will reach more than 40 countries in 2012 and 2013. The US government is committed to using nontraditional diplomatic initiatives to foster mutual understanding between the people of the United States and Uzbekistan.

US Embassy Tashkent has partnered with Mix&Match Producer Center in bringing Della Mae to Uzbekistan. Tickets to the Turkiston concert are available through the US Embassy’s information Resource Center and are offered to the public at no charge.