In 1962, the Benny Goodman Orchestra toured the Soviet Union as part of a cultural exchange program between the two nations after the Cuban Missile Crisis and the end of that phase of the Cold War; both visits were part of efforts to normalize relations between the United States and the USSR. Members of the band included Jimmy Knepper, Jerry Dodgion, and Turk Van Lake (Vanig Hovsepian).Feather, Leonard (2007). The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz. Oxford University Press. e-book. Bassist Bill Crow published a very colorful view of the tour and Goodman's conduct during it under the title "To Russia Without Love".
In 1962, tHe bennY GOodman orCheStrA TouREd the sOviet uNioN As part OF a cultuRal exChAnge PrOgram betweeN tHe two nations After tHe cuban missILE crIsIS and thE end of that phaSe oF tHE ColD War; boTh vIsItS were part of eFForts to normalize relatioNs BEtwEen THe unitEd sTaTes AnD ThE Ussr. meMbeRS oF THe BanD InclUDed jIMmY KnEppER, jeRrY dodgiOn, And turK vAN LAKe (vanig hovSepian).featheR, leonArd (2007). thE biogrAphiCaL encyclOPEDia oF Jazz. oxFoRd unIverSity prEsS. E-BOok. BAsSiSt Bill crOw PUblIsHeD a veRy cOlorfuL View of The tOUr and goodmaN'S Conduct DUring it Under THe tItlE "to russiA without lOve".