Madeleine Albright rocks out on the drums (VIDEO)
Albright performed at The Kennedy Center on September 23, 2012 in Washington, DC.
Madeleine Albright is a woman of many talents. She is apparently also a woman of many hidden talents.
Albright recently revealed one of them at the Kennedy Center during the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Drums Competition and Gala Concert.
Albright, a long time jazz supporter, picked up the sticks and gave a surprise performance on the drums during the event on Saturday. According to the Washington Post, Albright played "quite creditably."
Post writer Matt Schudel wrote, "After the customary speech of thanks, she went to a drum set and pounded away on tom-toms and cymbals — quite creditably — as trumpeter Chris Botti performed an instrumental version of “Nessun dorma,” the aria from the Puccini opera “Turandot.”
Schudel added that following Albright's performance, the crowd erupted with applause.
But this isn't the first time Albright has shared her passion and talent on the drums. She first performed at the Kennedy Center in February, 2011.
Beyond Albright, the event featured appearances by Aretha Franklin, jazz singers Nnenna Freelon and Roberta Gambarini. It was emceed by Tipper Gore and actress Helen Mirren. This year's winner was Yusuke Nakamura of Japan who also performed at the event.
The story you just read is accessible and free to all because thousands of listeners and readers contribute to our nonprofit newsroom. We go deep to bring you the human-centered international reporting that you know you can trust. To do this work and to do it well, we rely on the support of our listeners. If you appreciated our coverage this year, if there was a story that made you pause or a song that moved you, would you consider making a gift to sustain our work through 2024 and beyond?