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!
Eli Yamin Quintet on stage in the East Room, the White House. L-R- Eli Yamin, Amy Shook, Todd Williams, Evan Christopher, LaFrae Sci
I’m still pinching myself but it’s true, we played at the White House with my quintet three times over the holidays in the East Room. When I was there for the Jazz Studio in June, I left a couple copies of my CD, You Can’t Buy Swing, for them to check out. Sure enough, in November, I got an email, “We’ve listened to your CD and really enjoyed it…” It was the first time multiple performers were invited to perform over the holidays and we were honored to play at three separate events including the party for the Press Corps. We played music from “You Can’t Buy Swing,” lots of blues and a heap of Duke Ellington. It was amazing how well the music fit right in!
Eli Yamin and Evan Christopher perform Sophisticated Lady, by Duke Ellington, at the White House
Big thanks to Evan Christopher for coming all the way up from New Orleans. It was a thrill to hear that deep clarinet soul and soaring joy Evan always delivers, resonating through the historic rooms of the White House.
Amy Shook, Eli Yamin, Todd Williams, LaFrae Sci, Ravi Best
Thanks a million to all the musicians who played with us: Mary Ann McSweeny, Todd Williams, LaFrae Sci, Ravi Best and Amy Shook. Your artistry, devotion and teamwork is beyond category!
Eli Yamin in "Al Green Room," the White House
May the music continue to resonate from concert halls to the halls of government, from every school to every street corner. May the music uplift, inspire and educate people from all generations, and all backgrounds. May we feel encouraged and supported to give our best to this great effort and see the fruits of our labors in the smiles, dances, and surges of imagination in the people we serve.
Eli Yamin and Evan Christopher, photo by John Rogers
Last week, Evan Christopher invited us to do a concert with him at the University Club in Manhattan. It was Evan Christopher, clarinet, Ari Roland, bass, LaFrae Sci, drums and myself on piano. The concept was “A Wail of Two Cities: New Orleans to New York.” Evan put together a distinctive, fiery and sweet program. We had a great time with the repertoire including several old classics that were new to us. The early music gave us a wonderful platform for deep blues, swing and great interaction and creativity. In the middle of the set, Evan and I played a duo rendition of James P. Johnson’s “Carolina Shout.” Took me a good while to learn all James P.’s notes. Once I did that, Evan said, “Now keep playing that section there for improvisation.” Now that’s bringing the classics alive and I was thrilled to get on board. Make Me a Pallet was swinging through the roof and The Mooche was a journey of great depth and diversity. The University Club Audience was enthusiastic and on their feet by the end. Thanks to our gracious hostess Corinne Shane and the club members.
Here’s the complete program we played:
Make Me One Pallet on Your Floor
Darktown Strutter’s Ball
Buddy Bolden’s Blues (Funky Butt) (Jelly Roll Morton)
Tropical Moon (Haitian Rhumba recorded by Bechet in 1939)
Eli Yamin performs at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola, Jazz At Lincoln Center
We had a wonderful week at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City. It was great to be home again and performing with great musicians and close friends in such an illustrious venue. You can see Columbus Circle from the piano bench. It feels like you are playing jazz and flying through the air at the same time. We loved going on after Cedar Walton’s Trio every night. The bandstand was so swinging when we got up there, all we had to do was ride the wave. Big thanks to Todd Barkin, Artistic Director and Desmond and Roland, the managers of the club and all the great staff of Dizzy’s. We love you madly. More thanks to all the great musicians who came down to sit in with us. You gave each night it’s own distinct character. Evan Christopher, amazing clarinet on Tuesday, Kate McGarry, home-girl-get-down-with-us-on-the-blues on Wednesday, the Anderson Twins, bebopping us into bad health on Thursday, Marion Cowings, throwing down mad vocal on Polka Dots, Moonbeams and more on Friday and Mary Ann McSweeny, power bass and Mike Fahn, sweet and swinging trombone on Saturday. There’s no place like home.
More then all, thanks to my stellar quartet. You make my music come ALIVE with grace, eloquence, deep swing and sincerity. You made the week a natural high all the time. There’s no question in my mind, more then ever:
YOU CAN’T BUY SWING!
LaFrae Sci, drummer soul sister beyond belief
Ari Roland, bass blues brother from another mother
Chris Byars, sax breathes bebop, blends non-stop
Thanks to all the fans who came down to Dizzy’s. We could not do what we do without you. Please keep coming!
If you missed the show and don’t have the CD-You Can’t Buy Swing by the Eli Yamin Quartet, please order yours now while supplies last. Welcome new fans from Sirius XM Radio. It’s great to have you on board!
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…
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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…
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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
I was struck by how deep culture and aesthetic beauty runs in this country. The town of Drama has a population of 50,000. We visited a municipal music center where 900 students participate in lessons and ensembles. Here’s a clip from our performance there. Check out the serious audience participation!
Then we went to a school where 200 more music students gathered from towns nearby. Here’s a clip of Kate opening our performance in the school with “Trouble of the World.” What a model for valuing culture-Northern Greece!
Our next concert was in Xanthi at the Foundation for Thracian Art and Tradition. It was a sweet, intimate performance in an old tobacco building-turned arts center. The U.S. Consul General attended the concert for the 2nd night in a row. Our new friend Anotonis Varvatsoulias intoduced us to some Greek traditional music that smacks of the blues. Is it possible, many cultures have their own blues?
We arrived in Ioannina just as the sun was setting over the water. My parents honeymooned in Greece in 1965. My whole life, I’ve heard about the physical beauty of this place and it’s all true-the mountains, the sun, the water and wind. My parents portrait of Greece, however soaring, missed the most beautiful part of this country…the people…
Markella N. Karagiorga, Program Coordinator
Markella from the embassy in Athens was responsible for our programs on the ground. After years of programming speakers, environmental programs and such, we were the first cultural program under her direct care. She worked miracle after miracle with supreme grace and fierce sweetness.
Our first program was just outside Ionnina in the North. A suburb called Anatoli. We met wonderful young people there…
Young musicians from Anatoli
On the second night, we performed at Ioannina Municipal Cultural Center, a 500-seat theatre. It was a beautiful night…
Eli working out on the blues
Kate passionately sings
Chanell holds down the bass
LaFrae gives her best always
By now, I’m singing Shake Sugaree by Elizabeth Cotten every night. This song sings itself…so natural.
Oh lordy me, didn’t I shake sugaree, everything I got is still in pawn…
Oh lordy me...
Fishin’ Blues resonates still: I’m goin’ fishin’, yes I’m goin’ fishin’, and my baby’s going fishin’ too…And then came Ioannina’s young people with a song for the environment….
Eli goin' fishin'
Ioannina youth's sing a song for the environment
We got a couple hours of site seeing. Just enough time to soak in the sun and wear ourselves out before the gig. It’s all good though. Feels like we’ve been out here a while…
Eli Yamin Blues Band in Ioannina, Greece
Big thanks to our magnificent host Chryssa Mokou and our blues translator, Mr. Arthur. You are both tremendous in every way!
