Posts Tagged ‘The Rhythm Road’

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…

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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

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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

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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.

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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…

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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

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Blues Band in Anatoli and Ioannina, Greece

Monday, June 8th, 2009
Arriving in Ioannina, Greece at sunset

Arriving in Ioannina, Greece at sunset

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 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

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

Eli working out on the blues

Kate passionately sings

Kate passionately sings

Chanell holds down the bass

Chanell holds down the bass

LaFrae gives her best

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...

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'

Eli goin' fishin'

Ioannina youth's sing a song for the environment

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

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!

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