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