What a pleasure and honor it was to work with Mississippi Teachers at the Whole Schools Institute in Meridian, Mississippi July 19, 20 and 21. 3 hours a day for 3 days we worked on the workshop version of Nora’s Ark, the jazz musical by myself and Clifford Carlson. Some folks started out with a lot of experience such as Karen, singer and music teacher from Nora Davis Magnet School in Laurel. But there were others who never did anything like this before. Most hands went up at the end of the 3 days when asked, “Who feels like they could put on a jazz musical like this with their class?” So now we can’t wait to see how things unfold. Where will the next Mississippi production of Nora’s Ark take place? Thanks to Sonya Robinson, my partner teaching artist. We couldn’t have done it without you. And thanks to the Mississippi Arts Commission. I’m honored and thrilled to be a part of this great gathering of teachers and artists!
Evan Christopher, clarinetist from New Orleans, and I had a ball playing a duo concert in the historic Riley Center. What a hall…look Ma…no microphones!
Teachers arrive at Riley Center, Meridian, Mississippi
Mississippi bluesman LC Ulmer sets the tone for the Institute
Teaching Artist Sonya Robinson kicks off Nora’s Ark Workshop
LC Ulmer and Eli Yamin at the Riley Center
Bugsy finds her character
Teachers in Nora’s Ark Workshop
Mississippi Teachers at Nora’s Ark Workshop
Eli Yamin and Evan Christopher in concert at the Riley Center
Eli talks to the audience, “Jazz is like teaching, improvisation on a theme.”
Evan Christopher wails on the clarinet
Eli Yamin and Evan Christopher jam with Cadillac Bill and John at Riley Center
Eli receives book on Mississippi music from teacher at Institute. That’s Elvis Presley and B.B. King on the cover of the book!
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…
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
Eli Yamin plays UNIFOR, University in Fortaleza, Brazil
What a piano! It’s amazing how the possibilities open with a fine Steinway instrument at my fingertips. We opened the concert with our new arrangement of the spiritual, “Trouble of the World.” After hearing this arrangement, one person observed, “Now I know where John Coltrane and those guys were coming from!” It’s true, African American Spirituals have been a well of inspiration for generations and continue to inspire us on the Rhythm Road.
In the workshop, participants hummed call and response with Kate McGarry as she evoked lessons she learned from her great teacher/mentor, Dr. Horace Boyer. Dr. Boyer dedicated his life to teaching the repertoire and performance practices of African American Spirituals. The hymnal he put together is used worldwide. It’s called Lift Every Voice and Sing and is published by The Church Pension Fund (ISBN: 978-0-89869-194-8).
Kate McGarry evokes the memory of Dr. Horace Boyer
Once again LaFrae Sci evoked the rhythm of the blues…The shuffle is the heartbeat…
LaFrae has been documenting her experiences with us on the Rhythm Road on LaFrae\’s Blog
Then Bob got the harmony in the mix and tapped those not playing instruments to fill in 3 parts. Here’s a taste of how that went…
At the workshop we were also knocked out by 17-year old Brenna on cavaquinho, a guitar like instrument, and her friend Clayuton on flute. Our hearts melted when we heard them play this sweet choro called “Receita de Samba.”
With a sound like that, we were so happy to welcome Brenna and Clayuton to play with us at our evening concert. It was wonderful to have them play this piece joined by LaFrae on shaker. After that they sat in with us on “I Feel So Glad” by Hop Wilson. Brenna sure got some bluesy chords out of her cavaquinho and Clayuton took a heck of a blues flute solo!
Clayuton, LaFrae Sci and Brenna play "Receita de Samba," in concert at UNIFOR, Fortaleza, Brazil
Bob got the audience terrifically involved in the traditional “John Henry.”
Bob Stewart insist the audience make a full sound with their "hammer."
Next we presented our new lyrics and arrangement of my composition, “Rwandan Child.” It is dedicated to the wisdom and safety of children all over the world. We also played our new arrangement of Billy Taylor’s classic, “I Wish I Knew How It Feels To Be Free.” Billy Taylor is one of the pioneer jazz ambassadors and paved the way for artists like us to teach and play all over the world. For me, this song will always pay tribute to Dr. Taylor’s great legacy of positivity, overcoming obstacles and insistence on the jazz language being spoken, understood and appreciated by people all over the U.S. and throughout the world.
Pianist/Educator/Jazz Ambassador Billy Taylor, composer of "I Wish I Knew How It Feels To Be Free"
We closed the concert with Night Time Is the Right Time, made famous by Ray Charles, and “Healing Song” by myself and Clifford Carlson. By now we are accustomed to having audiences sing with us in both English and Portugese…
HEALING SONG by
Eli Yamin and Clifford Carlson
Portuguese translation by Edvaldo Amorim
“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.”
“Não é só uma canção prá mim
Respire e você vai ver
Porque o Blues tem o poder de ser
Uma canção… que nos cura.”
One person at the workshop said, “I don’t sing, I don’t play an instrument. But the atmosphere you created with the blues drew me in so I felt comfortable joining in. It touched my soul!”
We could not have connected so deeply with the people of the North East of Brazil without the great expertise of Edvaldo Amorim, Cultural Affairs Specialist from the U.S. Consulate in Recife, Brazil. He served as road manager, interpreter and a host of other duties. Thanks a million Edvaldo, we love you madly!
Edvaldo Amorim, Cultural Affairs Specialist, U.S. Consulate, Recife, Brazil
It was a fantastic first week on the Rhythm Road. Many thanks to all our great support team at the Consulates, in Washington and at Jazz at Lincoln Center. We look forward to new discoveries and new friends in Belem and Manaus here in Brazil and then Chile later this month. Thanks for joining us on the Rhythm Road. Please do reflect on what you’ve seen here. We would love to hear what you think!
Eli Yamin with guest musicians Brenna and Clayuton
Teacher-Marivaldo, LaFrae Sci, Jorge Martins-director of Corpos Percussivos and students
Last night was an amazing experience. We performed for students, diplomats and friends of the American Bi-National Center in Recife. This is a place that teaches classes in English. Of course, we saw it as the perfect opportunity to invite the Maracatou kids from Corpos Percussivos. We were so knocked out to perform two songs with them in the concert: Billie’s Bounce by Charlie Parker and the traditional John Henry. John Henry was through the roof. I don’t think we’ll ever again to perform that song without the power of the Maracatou!
Drums of Maracatou
Eli Yamin Blues Band performs with Maracatou from Corpos Percussivos
Eli Yamin performs at ABA, Recife
Student from Corpos Percussivos
Student practicing with gift from drummer LaFrae Sci
Eli Yamin Blues Band and Corpos Percussivos at ABA, Recife
The next couple of days I gave four workshops at the festival. One on the blues,”The Blues is the Roots, Everything Else is the Fruits.” We stomp/clapped, delved into the cultural and emotional roots of the blues, sang “Wade in the Water and the “What Gives You the Blues Blues.” Once we got on instruments, the kids froze up a bit so I felt the need to bust into, “Built for Comfort.” “Some folks built like this, some folks built like that. Don’t you holler at me baby, don’t you call me fat, ’cause I’m built for comfort. I ain’t built for speed. I got everything sweet mama need. The students willingly joined in. Then, come to find out Joe Williams widow, Gillian was in the audience. She said, “this workshop was not what I expected but you sure did get those kids involved. Joe didn’t take any lessons with you though.” Thanks Gillian. We laughed about it over a drink later. What an oasis, the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival…
I also taught a workshop on free improvisation inspired by my hero Warren Smith. Middle School students including Liam pictured below from Sitka Alaska played a programmatic, freely improvised piece that told the story of a team of mountain climbers challenging an extraordinary peak. They threw down some serious music in the process.
We had two workshops on Jazz and Drama where participants musicalized two poems, Jazz Is..by Clifford Carlson and “The Jazz Aesthetica” by Shireen Dickson. So much creativity, joy and teamwork was unleashed. You could feel the NuArt Theatre in downtown Moscow vibrating!
Worktime in Jazz Drama workshop
Worktime with Russell Elementary students on Jazz Drama Workshop
Jazz and Drama workshop songs
Big thanks to the students from Russell Elementary who did an amazing job at the jazz and drama workshop at the Nu-Art. You are such a creative and energized bunch of young people and your teacher, Lisa, is a jewel!
Eli Yamin and students from Russell Elementary at Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival
Another big thank-you to the students and their teacher Mike, of Sitka Middle School in Alaska. They were my demonstrators for the blues and free improvisation workshop. Liam’s photo sums it up best. The future of our music is in great hands!
Nora's Ark Workshop, University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) Oxford, Mississippi
The trip to Mississippi was amazing. The photo above captures the sheer joy we felt at the culmination of the workshop performance of Nora’s Ark, the jazz musical by Clifford Carlson and me. Judi Holifield, Director of Whole Schools Initiative, sponsored by the Mississippi Arts Commission, brought me down to University of Mississippi at Oxford, MS to give workshops and perform for teachers. These are teachers empowered and inspired by art ready to change and uplift the world!
Bill Strickland inspired us!
July 12th I arrived in Oxford to participate in the retreat. Setting the tone for the week was the magnificent keynote speaker, entrepreneur, social activist, artist, visionary, author, jazz leader, Bill Strickland. In addition to hearing his keynote address and receiving this signed copy of his book, Make The Impossible Possible, I got to spend some time talking with Bill about making positive change in the world for ALL people through art.
The following day, workshops began with “Music As a Container.” In the workshop we explore how music gives us a chance to express “unspeakable feelings,” as well as stories, culture and community. I found participants, teachers from throughout the state of Mississippi, wonderfully engaged and warmhearted in the workshop. “Music as a Container” was inspired by a collaboration I had years ago with Dr. Abigail McNamee of Lehman College, City University of New York.
Janice from B.B. King Museum and teachers in workshop
In the afternoon, it was time for the Blues Immersion Workshop. We sang Leadbelly’s, “Good Morning Blues,” and the teachers wrote blues songs based on this model. Then it was time to head over to the Nutt Auditorium at Ole Miss where I was joined by the great clarinetist Evan Christopher from New Orleans for a duo concert. What a great way to warm up an audience–teach ‘em workshops all day long first. Just a great vibe…
&fmt=18
I Want To Be A Teacher is on my new CD, You Can’t Buy Swing, available on www.eliyamin.com, www.cdbaby.com or itunes.
The day after the concert, blues historian Scott Barretta and aficionado Thomas Henry Freeland IV gave me some tips on how I should go to Clarksdale. Before I knew it, I was on my way to the Mississippi Delta, birthplace of the blues. In Clarksdale, you can feel the spirit of the blues elders all over the place. It’s in the dust, sky, trees and wind…
Fabled blues crossroads, Clarksdale, Mississippi
Delta Blues Museum, Clarksdale, Mississippi
When I arrived at the Delta Blues Museum, eight or nine youngsters had gathered in the basement for blues class with veteran blues man, Bill “Howlin’ Madd” Perry. Before I could count to four, I was in the mix, helping the young piano players. Many thanks to Bill for such a warm and energized welcome. You made me feel completely at home.
Eli Yamin and Bill Perry
After the class, we headed over to Morgan Freeman’s blues club, Ground Zero. Bill was playing along with his son, Bill Perry Jr. on piano and their group. What a fantastic sound. Completely modern yet absolutely from the roots. I was knocked out to sit in the band and completely floored when Bill said, “There is no way you don’t have a least SOME Mississippi down in ya’ playing the blues like that. That ain’t no New York blues!” Thanks Bill for the sweet compliment. You guys are holding it down. Can’t wait to see you up here in New York at Terra Blues!
Bill "Howlin' Madd" Perry performs at Ground Zero, Clarksdale, Mississippi
Eli sits in with Bill "Howlin' Madd" Perry Blues Band at Ground Zero
Mr. John Billington, founder of Delta Blues Museum Education Program performs
I drove back to Oxford blasting one of the CD’s I bought at the Delta Blues Museum, Muddy Waters Greatest Hits, of course. What a night it was.
The following day, I was joined by a brilliant angel, newly located to New Orleans. The great singer and teaching artist, Sonya Robinson. She conducted her own workshops and partnered with me in the Nora’s Ark workshop. Thanks for your great partnership Sonya!
Sonya Robinson, teaching artist extraordinaire
Sonya and I joined forces to lead a nine-hour workshop production of Nora’s Ark, the jazz musical by Clifford Carlson and me. Check out the following clip and see what a wonderful job these professional educators do in leaping into the risk taking and soul expanding world of jazz drama. Many of the teachers plan to return to their schools throughout Mississippi to stage Nora’s Ark with their students. We are eager to see the results…
&fmt=18
After all this, I’m truly excited for the future. So many teachers being creative and spirited. Young people picking up the ball and running with it. One of the teachers in the Nora’s Ark workshop brought her 17 year old son, Chris. He made for a terrific Mr. Cheetah in the production and went home with new found interest in blues men Albert King and Muddy Waters and jazz in general. Hats off to you-skies the limit Chris!
You can also see photos below of myself with Bill Perry Jr., a wonderful young blues and jazz pianist from Clarksdale. Look out for this fiery young man. And, myself with the director of the Thacker Mountain Radio Show on Mississippi Public Radio. Thanks for having me on the show. What a great feeling–words and music, perfect together.
Big thanks to everyone at the Mississippi Arts Commission and Whole Schools. You are through-the-roof fantastic. Thanks a million for doing what you do. Together we are making the impossible possible. More art, more kids, more creativity, more humanity, more learning, more healing, more joy!
Hope to see you soon!
Eli and Bill Perry Jr., blues and jazz pianist from Clarksdale
Director of Thacker Mountain Radio Show and Eli
Eli with Chris, who played Mr. Cheetah in the Nora's Ark workshop
Arriving at the White House today was a dream come true. I was invited to participate in the launch of the White House Music Series: Jazz Studio. It was the first ever jazz education event at the White House and we were given the run of the East Wing. 150 young people from DC schools came with their instruments along with a class from New Orleans Center for the Arts and a few students from LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts in New York City. Workshops were given in 3 rooms. Ellis, Wynton, Branford, Delfayo and Jason Marsalis worked with high schoolers in the East Room. Stephen Massey and Sean Jones worked with other high schoolers in the State Dining Room and I teamed up with Todd Williams to lead a workshop on the blues for middle schoolers in the Diplomatic Reception Room. First Lady Michelle Obama was our gracious host. She, her staff and all the White House personnel made us all feel incredibly welcome. We arrived a little early and were invited to wander around a bit and explore the “People’s House.” It felt like home!
The East Room set up for White House Jazz Studio
Eli Yamin under portrait of former President Clinton
View of Washington Monument from outside the East Room
In the Diplomatic Reception Room, 45 students from Capital Jazz, Sitar Arts Center and the Levine School of Music, joined Todd Williams and I for an exploration of the blues. While we were setting up a very familiar looking young lady walked through the room with a friend and her dog. I said, “Are you Malia?” She said, “yes,” and of course I introduced myself. I didn’t meet the dog.
Eli Yamin with middle school musicians in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House, "What gives YOU the blues?
Eli Yamin sings at the White House "I Feel So Glad, trouble don't last always!" Todd Williams on sax, Amy Shook-bass, Tony Martucci-drums
We asked students: “What gives YOU the blues?” and got student responses such as, “meaness, frustration, sickness, loss, failing.” Then we played Hop Wilson’s classic blues shuffle, “I Feel So Glad.” We explained that music was a tool African Americans used to survive the horror of American Slavery. Next we started stomp/clappin’ and singing the great African American spiritual “Wade In the Water.” After singing for some time, diving deep into the healing power of the music, we pointed out that the melody notes of Wade In the Water form a scale known as the minor pentatonic–C, Eb, F, G, Bb. This is a great scale to use as a jumping off point for improvising on the blues. At this point, the students busted out their instruments and started to play call and response with Todd. Can you see George Washington smiling?
After the workshop, Todd and I were invited to meet the First Lady and have a photo with her. She could not have been more gracious and welcoming. My heart was overflowing and I thanked her for bringing jazz and jazz people to the White House. She said, “Thank-YOU for coming. As a matter of fact, I’m so happy you are here that I brought my mother.” Then I got to meet Marian Robinson who struck me as the pinnacle of dignity, duty and grace.
Photo courtesy of The White House. The White House Jazz Studio with education events produced by Jazz at Lincoln Center June 15, 2009 and coordinated by Erika Floreska, Director of Education, Jazz at Lincoln Center (L-R) Eli Yamin, Todd Williams, Stephen Massey, Sean Jones, First Lady Michelle Obama, Wynton Marsalis, Artistic Director, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Branford Marsalis, Jason Marsalis, Ellis Marsalis, Delfaeyo Marsalis
After this, we all gathered in the East Room for Michelle Obama’s speech on jazz…
Finally, Paquito D’Rivera took the stage with his inimitable wit and charm. He filled the room with magic once again…
Eli Yamin and Paquito D'Rivera
It was a truly magical day. It almost feels like a dream. Could our country change, really change this fast? From the time I entered the White House today until I left, I was brimming with emotion. I felt so proud of our nation. I looked around and saw old portraits of presidents and first ladies and then saw life size photos of the Obamas and many events they have hosted in the past 6 months. They are constantly bringing children here. Children of all colors, from all backgrounds. It feels that the real America has taken residence in our most esteemed estate. We don’t have a king and queen in the U.S. We fought a war over that. The reality of our unique arrangement of leadership descended on me with such force today. The people’s house. A nation of nations. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things. The challenges we face, we face them together.
Thank-you Michelle Obama, President Obama and your incredible team. Thank-you for looking out for all of us and welcoming jazz people to the White House today. You give us strength and inspiration to return to our communities with renewed commitment and enthusiasm for touching people with our music. Jazz unites, inspires, awakens, surprises and heals. May jazz musicians across this nation feel the power of our lineage and find more opportunities to work and share our talents and skills with people of all ages, step by step helping form a more PERFECT UNION!
