You Can’t Buy Swing

Posts Tagged ‘You Can’t Buy Swing’

You Can’t Buy Swing at the White House

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

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!

You Can\’t Buy Swing

Chicago Tribune:

The White House: Sushi and jazz

Newsweek:

Obama brings change to the White House (Christmas Party)

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.

The East Wing of the White House, December 2009

Tags: Amy Shook, Eli Yamin, Evan Christopher, Jazz, Jazz at White House, jazz clarinet, jazz piano, LaFrae Sci, Mary Ann McSweeny, Ravi Best, The White House, Todd Williams, You Can't Buy Swing
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Jazz Quartet at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, Jazz At Lincoln Center in New York City

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

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: