PRESS RELEASE

February 27, 2009

The Student Loan to Bring Innovative Jazz to Quang Ninh and Hanoi, Feb. 27-Mar. 1

The U.S. Embassy Hanoi will host American musical group The Student Loan's Vietnam tour from February 27-March 1.

In Quang Ninh, The Student Loan will give a public performance at the Japan-Vietnam Cultural Palace, Ha Long City at 8:00 p.m. on February 28.  The group will then travel to Hanoi and perform at the Tuoi Tre Theater at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday March 1.  In addition to their performances, the group will also hold classes on jazz and bluegrass music for over 200 students and lecturers at the National University of Art Education on February 27 in Hanoi.

The Student Loan is an eclectic four piece bluegrass/newgrass band, originally from Bowling Green, Ohio and now based in Portland, Oregon.  Mixing elements of traditional bluegrass and folk music with elements of rock, jazz and blues, The Student Loan has a sound that defies genre and is both familiar and new. With original songs and a vast library of music from groups as diverse as Bill Monroe, The Beatles, Phish and Sublime, The Student Loan presents music stemming from the grass roots tradition.  Music lovers can access their music at http://jalc.org/TheRoad noFl/embassy1109.html.
 
The members of the group are Liz Chibucos (guitar, violin and vocals), Mark Gerolami (banjo, guitar and vocals), Julio Appling (Bass and vocals) and Chad Kimbler (mandolin and vocals).