Archive for the ‘Blues Band in Chile’ Category

Santiago, Chile

Friday, June 4th, 2010

Eli Yamin catches the spirit. Photo by Melissa Morano

Why do I LOVE the blues so much?

It’s the universal language of the heart. It brings people together and makes them happy. It’s full of passion, spirit, harmony, melody and rhythm.  So much RHYTHM!

We spent the final week of the tour giving workshops and concerts in Santiago and around Santiago.  What a gas it was connecting with all the jazz and blues people.  Here are a handful of our new friends.  Te quiero con locura!

Eli Yamin gives workshop at Pro Jazz, Santiago, Chile

Eli Yamin Blues Band Workshop becomes a Hootenany!

Bob Stewart sheds light on the blues at workshop at Pro Jazz, Santiago, Chile

Kate McGarry goes for deep soul at Pro Jazz, Santiago, Chile

LaFrae Sci activates the shuffle at Pro Jazz, Santiago, Chile

Eli Yamin with George Abuhele Bus, Director of Pro Jazz, Santiago, Chile

We had an equally ecstatic time at our workshop and concert at Universidad Mayor in Santiago, Chile.  These young people are so receptive for blues rhythm.  There was so much joy in the room.  Check it out…

YouTube Preview Image

South America's leading jazz and blues aficionado, Jose "Pepe" Hosiasson in his Attic Jazz Laboratory

My new friend from Santiago, 79-year old pianist Giovanni Cultrera, told me, “jazz is the most important contribution to world culture.”  When I asked him why, he replied, “because it’s universal expression.  It comes from the mental pain of the slaves.  Everyone one experiences mental pain sometimes and jazz provides the release.”

Giovanni Cultrera jamming in his home with Eli Yamin, Santiago, Chile

Bob Stewart, Kate McGarry, LaFrae Sci, U.S. Ambassador to Chile Paul Simons and his wife-Victoria Cardenas Simons, Eli Yamin

This band was a dream to be on the Rhythm Road with.  Such high artists.  Teachers, Players.  Always embodying the full spirit of the music.  The month was manna from Heaven.  Thank-you Bob Stewart, Kate McGarry and LaFrae Sci.  May our musical offering resound through the spheres and bring happiness and understanding in it’s path.  May our friendships create lasting growth and support throughout the years to come.  I love you madly!

Eli Yamin Blues Band in Chile-Bob Stewart, LaFrae Sci, Eli Yamin, Kate McGarry

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Arts Education, Blues Band in Chile, Eli Yamin Blues Band, Jazz education | No Comments »

Iquique, Chile

Sunday, May 30th, 2010

Municipal Theatre, Hemicicio Plaza, Central Square, Iquique, Chile

After our show in Curico, we headed North to Iquique, Chile.  Our concert was on the in front of the Municipal Theatre in Hemicicio Plaza, Central Square.  It was organized by the great jazz and blues enthusiast, Alvaro Gomez.

Eli Yamin and Alvaro Gomez

We met many eager young musicians after the show and of course, invited them to an impromptu workshop/jam session at the hotel.

Eli Yamin and youngsters in Iquique, Chile

LaFrae and young drummer in Iquique, Chile

LaFrae with young drummer at soundcheck in Iquique, Chile

Bob Stewart at soundcheck in Iqiuque, Chile

Eli Yamin, LaFrae Sci schoolin' some youngsters on the blues after the show in Iquique, Chile

LaFrae Sci, Eli Yamin, Kate McGarry and young musicians in Iquique, Chile

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Blues Band in Chile, Eli Yamin Blues Band | No Comments »

Fishin’ Blues in Southern Chile

Saturday, May 29th, 2010

Seems like everywhere we go in Chile people like fish!

So do we and Fishin’ Blues is perfect for the occasion.  The message of the song is “many fish bite if you’ve got good bait.”  We love singing this song as much as we love PESCADO FRITO!

Here are two clips from Southern Chile.  The first is a performance live on the radio in Chillan and the second is from concert performance at the library in Curico.

YouTube Preview Image

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Blues Band in Chile, Eli Yamin Blues Band | No Comments »

Curico, Chile

Saturday, May 29th, 2010

Bob Stewart in Curico

Curico was also hit hard by the Earthquake.  We can only imagine how unsettling this is to the residents here.

Cracked wall in Curio

Crumbled roof in Curico

Church in Curico

After taking this all in we arrived at the Library where our concert was to take place.  Next door to the library was a building full of music…

Fundacion de Orquestas Juveniles, Curico, Chile

We were surprised to find students in the First Lady of Chile’s Program, Fundacion de Orquestas Juvenile.  Modeled after El Sistema in Venezuela, young people all over the county are studying strings.  We were especially touched when the students came by our soundcheck to play us a couple of songs including a soul stirring Chilean folk song.  Here’s a clip of these amazing young people.  The importance of their music making in the wake of the earthquake couldn’t be more clear…

YouTube Preview Image

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Arts Education, Blues Band in Chile, Eli Yamin Blues Band | No Comments »

Talca, Chile

Sunday, May 23rd, 2010

Talca, Chile, hardest hit by Earthquake of 2010

Talca, Chile May 2010

Talca, Chile May 2010

We arrived here Wednesday and saw many devastated buildings.  The only place the concert could be held was in an art gallery.  The gallery was gorgeous, decked out with super-fine works of art both modern and classic.  Again, Chileans blew us away with their resilience.  Life is incredibly vibrant here.  And the will of the people is strong.  The concert was a circle of strength and joy in our community together in music!

Kate demonstrates kazoo in Talca

Talcans blowing the blues away!

Eli sharing the blues with Mical Marchant, a talented student from Universidad Autonoma.

Talca Audience

Jennifer Viau and Sandra Perroni, our great support team from the U.S. Embassy in Santiago

Hold up your hammer, it is time to build again!

Eli Yamin Blues Banner in Talca, Chile

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Blues Band in Chile, Eli Yamin Blues Band | No Comments »

Chillan, Chile

Friday, May 21st, 2010

Pablo Neruda's House, Santiago

Arrived in Chile last Saturday.  Had a day to visit Pablo Neruda’s house in Santiago then headed South to the area hardest hit by the Earthquake in late February.  We have been blown away by the warmth of the people down here.  Chileans LOVE the BLUES!

Eli Yamin at Municipalidad de Chillan, Our concert was the first since the earthquake. Over 400 people turned out. Hats off to the resilience of Chileans!

LaFrae Sci at Municipalidad de Chillan

Audience in Chillan at Municipalidad de Chillan

Eli after concert with piano student

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Blues Band in Chile, Eli Yamin Blues Band | No Comments »