PRESS RELEASE
From Tucson to Almaty: Musicians from Kazakhstan and the United States to Perform on One Stage
On August 22, 2026, the international music collaboration UNBOUND: Tucson x Almaty will take place at the Huns Ethno Village (5 Soldatskoye Gorge), bringing musicians from the United States and Kazakhstan together on one stage.
The event will be held as part of the second visit by a delegation from the Smithsonian Institution (Washington, D.C., USA) and the Southwest Folklife Alliance (Arizona, USA). The project’s General Partner is Samruk-Kazyna Trust. The event is also supported by Chevron.
The stage will bring together musicians whose work bridges traditional and contemporary cultures. Kazakhstan will be represented by Duana, an experimental folk band combining ancient steppe traditions with contemporary rock music; Aldaspan, an ethno-rock band; Steppe Sons, an alternative folk group; and Hassak, an ethno-folk ensemble.
Artists from the United States will include Gabriel Ayala, a classical guitarist from the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and creator of the “JazzMenco” style; Dan Levenson, a musician, educator, songwriter, and performer specializing in Old-Time and American folk music; and Las Azaleas, a Tucson, Arizona-based women’s music ensemble dedicated to Latin American musical culture.
Audiences will hear not only the artists’ individual repertoires but also exclusive new works created through their collaboration.
“Collaboration began long before the artists arrived in Kazakhstan: the musicians explored each other’s work, exchanged ideas, and identified directions for creating a shared sound. This is all about the many different ways of preserving intangible cultural heritage. It is remarkable how naturally steppe, American, and Latin American traditions can come together. Come and experience it for yourself on August 22!” says Raushan Dzhumaniyazova, Director of Music Unbound.
In addition to the concert performances, UNBOUND: Tucson x Almaty will feature a full-day program at the Huns Ethno Village, including demonstrations and introductions to traditional Kazakh customs and rituals, equestrian games, national dances, artist talks, and master classes with American and Kazakh musicians held in traditional yurt spaces.
The UNBOUND: Almaty x Tucson project is part of the Kazakhstan-Smithsonian Professional Development Project in Intangible Cultural Heritage, a collaborative initiative between Kazakhstan-based Music Unbound (Almaty) and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage (Washington, D.C.).
Supported by Samruk-Kazyna Trust, the project is dedicated to researching, preserving, and promoting Kazakhstan’s intangible cultural heritage internationally.
Next year, Kazakhstan’s national arts and cultural traditions will be presented at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, one of the world’s largest festivals dedicated to living cultural heritage. Held annually on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the festival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world.
The Samruk-Kazyna Fund serves as the General Partner of this major initiative, supporting the systematic promotion of Kazakhstan’s national heritage on the global stage.
It is worth noting that the Fund has consistently worked to strengthen Kazakhstan’s international cultural profile. This year, Samruk-Kazyna also served as General Partner of Kazakhstan’s National Pavilion at the renowned Venice Biennale and is now supporting the long-term promotion of Kazakhstan’s national heritage in the United States.
Background Information
Music Unbound is a cultural initiative working at the intersection of music, research, and inclusive practices. Its projects aim to create a new artistic environment in which professional-level participation in music is possible regardless of physical abilities.
The Smithsonian Institution, founded in Washington, D.C., in 1846, is the world’s largest complex of museums, research centers, and archives. Today, it includes 19 museums, 21 libraries, the National Zoo, and several research centers. Its mission is defined as “the increase and diffusion of knowledge.”
The Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage is one of the Smithsonian’s research centers. Its work focuses on living culture, including traditions, crafts, languages, and musical communities around the world.
Media Accreditation and Interview Requests
Zhaneli Safiyeva
Project Manager, Music Unbound
+7 708 896 75 66
