This just in from Albania. It’s an excerpt from our Rhythm Road Tour in June where we appeared on E Diel, the live, weekly, variety show broadcast nationwide. We were knocked out by the multi-generational-over-the-top-enthusiastic reception we received there. Thanks again to our great hosts at the Embassy in Tirane and our wonderful co-sponsors at the U.S. Department of State and Jazz At Lincoln Center.
Archive for the ‘Albania’ Category
Blues Band Broadcast from Albania
Tuesday, January 5th, 2010Blues Band in Tirane, Albania
Saturday, June 13th, 2009
Eli Yamin Blues Band - Blues in the Balkans
At this point, we are real close. There’s nothing like making music together on the road and meeting such great people along the way. Here’s the workshop at the High School for Music in Tirane. There’s such curiosity for our music here, and such great talent. The trombone professor thanked us for drawing the power source of the blues as coming from African American Spirituals. He told us how for song long spiritual practices were outlawed in Albania. With new freedom, people are returning to their spiritual lives. He feels this is a great source of inspiration for music making. We couldn’t agree more.
Tirane High School of Music
Tirane High School of Music
Tirane High School of Music
Tirane High School of Music
After the workshop, we played at the House of Arts in Tirane. Here’s Kate and I having a lot of fun scatting back and forth. What a joy and priviledge it is to sing with Kate McGarry every night!
Kate McGarry and Eli Yamin, House of Arts, Tirane, Albania
On Sunday, we performed live on the widely popular, nationally televised E Diel Television program. We played Fishin’ Blues, I Feel So Glad and Billie’s Bounce to an over-the-top enthusiastic studio audience and staff. The place really fell out when I spoke the few words of Albanian I had been practicing all day: “Meerdeeta Shirape. Eay fantastique!” –”Hello Albania. You are fantastic!”
Eli Yamin Blues Band on E Diel, Top Channel, Albania National TV
We closed out the tour with a workshop at the International School and a performance at the Ambassador’s residence.
Tirane International School
Eli Yamin Blues Band with U.S. Ambassador to Albania and his wife
What a magical journey this has been!Huge thanks to all of our Albanian hosts, especially Mirela, Matilda and Bix from the Embassy. We hope to return to Albania real soon. Thank-you thank-you thank-you!
Mirela Cupi, U.S. Embassy, Tirane, Albania
Matilda Vangjeli, U.S. Embassy, Tirane, Albania
Blues Band in Elbasan, Albania
Friday, June 12th, 2009
Eli teaching the words to Healing Song at workshop
Our first stop in Albania was the High School for Music and Art in Elbasan. The students were super enthusiastic and supremely soulful. Here they learned the words to Healing Song: “It’s not just a song for me. Take a breath…and you will see. Why the blues has the power to be. A healing song. A healing song…”
Later, the students sang a couple of Albanian folk songs for us. We were completely moved by the pride and joy expressed in their songs. My heart was smiling shoulder to shoulder as I experienced their singing and playing. I was not just listening. I was completely washed by their song.
That night many students joined us at our concert and sang and danced with us. We also celebrated the induction of a new class of Peace Corps volunteers beginning their 2-year assignments in Albania. Best of luck to all the volunteers and to all you wonderful students. May the music continue to flow freely from your hearts into the world you live in. You make the future of Albania look incredibly bright!
