In Niksic we realized that John Henry, the American mythical figure we sing about who goes up against the machine, has a lot in common with the men of Montenegro. Strong! Once we realized this, we sang together in harmony. Thanks to Miro for welcoming us to to the Zahumlje music and folk dance center in Niksic. Many thanks to Slavica Rosic for organizing such terrific programs.
Outside the Cultural Information Center, Podgorica, Montenegro
Our first concert in Montenegro was at the Cultural Information Center and filmed for public television. Thanks to the magnificent Maja Popovic for organizing everything. She brings a wide range of great arts programs to her center and we were honored to be a part of it. Here are some highlights from the broadcast.
The next day we had a workshop with students. There are many talented students there and we were happy to work with them in a workshop where we inquired: “How does the blues give you a chance to express emotions?”
Workshop in Podgorica. "What gives you the blues?"
As is our custom, we got everybody up and moving, then playing together to explore the power of the blues!
Up and moving together to the blues
Eli with students at the piano.
Music students in Podgorica, Montenegro
Eli and Music Professor after workshop
Below you can see LaFrae’s wonderful video about our Montenegro experience…
We did a workshop at the Univerisity of Oradea in Oradea, Romania. Music students and professors joined us, some with jazz and blues backgrounds and some without.
We started by hearing the students play…
Then we collected everyone’s responses to the question: “What do you like about the student performances we just heard?” This generated a number of responses that gave us an outline for what we would cover in the workshop…
…and RHYTHM.
Then I told the story of American slavery and how music and religious practices helped African Americans survive the horror of it. I followed this with a hands-on experience of feeling duple and triple rhythm simultaneously, a foundational principal of African American music…
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Once this got going pretty well, I turned the floor over to LaFrae and she masterfully explained the “shuffle is the heartbeat of the blues,” and then knocked them out with the “doodle-ahh.” Check out how many folks start really groovin!
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After this, we taught everybody the words to Healing Song and invited them to the concert that night. We also invited some of the horn players to sit in on Night Time is the Right Time…
Here we are at the Cultural Center in Oradea, an 800 seat, former Communist meeting place.
Everyone kept apologizing for having us in that space–too big, too cold, too many bad memories there, but things worked out great. We had 400-500 people show up, more than anyone expected. As we played the room got warmer and warmer with deep feeling. I played Shake Sugaree solo for the first time in concert and everyone sang along. LaFrae took a killer drum solo on Billie’s Bounce, Kate was her usual soaring self and the room really lit up in an extended version of Roll ‘Em Pete with improvised riffs held down by the audience. Chanell’s magnificent tuba tone enveloped the room. Healing Song was off the hook with everyone at their feet by the end. We look forward to staying in touch with all of our new friends in Oradea. Please do keep in touch. Special thanks to our local host, Lucian Silaghi. Best of luck with the Theatre renovation. I’m sure it will be exceptional in every way. And we do hope to return to play there in the near future!
While in Baia Mare, we visited this nearly 300 year old wooden church. We also met folks in their homes living like the olden days. Look at the sparks coming out of their eyes. I loved the natural washing machine. Then, a workshop at the Liceu de Arta School in town and finally a packed show in a downtown club. Everybody was singing and stompin’ the blues! Thanks to all the students who played and sang with us. Keep playing the Blues-y’all. We need it now more than ever. And you know what Willie Dixon said, “The Blues is the roots and everything else is the fruits.”
Thanks to Lia and Adina, our magnificent local hosts from American Corner. We can’t wait to come back to Baia Mare. It is one soulful place!
The Blues Band arrived in Romania on Wednesday. After spending a relaxing evening in Bucharest, we traveled on the Blues Bus to Brasov, an ancient Romanian town in the country. The concert was a hoot-the second set more packed then the first. I guess people went and called/texted their friends.
This beautiful country town was a perfect for stop for the blues. Thank-you to Jeny who organized the concert locally and all the great people of Brasov for giving us such a warm welcome! Photos by Genu Ariseanu. Thanks Genu!
LaFrae at Yoho, Yonkers, NY
LaFrae Sci is the drummer in the Eli Yamin Blues Band. We have been playing together for 10 years and she always grooves her behind off. She’s got a great blog going now from the Rhythm Road where we are currently in Brasov, Romania. I might have to steal some of her photos. Check out her blog at LaFrae\’s Blog
Here’s a taste of last summer’s trip for cultural diplomacy to India. Thank-you Stefan Schatz for putting together such a wonderful travelogue of our journey!
“Jazz Pianist-Composer-Educator Eli Yamin leads a quartet on a musical journey through India, performing everything from jazz standards to original compositions and Indian classical music, and collaborating with renowned North and South Indian musicians. Produced by The Jazz Drama Program; Executive Produced by Eli Yamin; Directed and Edited by Stefan Schatz.”
Pete Seeger
Pete Seeger turned 90 last night and I was fortunate to be there for the celebration at Madison Square Garden in New York City with my wife Lorraine and daughter Manika. It was a historic event. President Obama sent a letter congratulating Pete for his tremendous contribution inspiring people to work for change, justice and peace through music. Many great musicians performed including Arlo Guthrie, Taj Mahal, Bernice Johnson Reagon, Toshi Reagon (Bernice’s daughter, named for Pete’s wife), Richie Havens, Billy Bragg, Bruce Springsteen and others. I particularly loved when Bernice and Toshi sang “Oh Freedom,” and “We Shall Overcome.” Pete himself came out several times. At one point he led the huge audience (20,000 or so) in the most incredible rendition of Amazing Grace. He doesn’t have much of a singing a voice now but he can still organize the most incredible energy with his banjo and his will! He got us singing with 4-part harmony, then told us the story of the song which was written by a slave ship Captain who changed his mind about slavery and became a preacher writing songs. The story deepened the soul in the room little by little–all the while we strengthened our harmony. It was soul stirring. I think Pete is the greatest secular spiritualist I’ve ever known The Garden was filled and there was so much love for Pete in the room. Springsteen read a beautiful tribute. It was clear how Pete’s legacy continues to be a huge inspiration to legions and I’m so grateful to be among them. Thank-you Pete for blazing of the trail! Music unites, inspires, activates and energizes! Towards justice, equality, freedom for all!
Bob Stewart and Chanell Crichlow at YOHO, Yonkers, NY
Bob Stewart, modern tuba pioneer, has played with the Eli Yamin Blues Band since it first started in 2002. Here he is coaching Chanell Crichlow, who will be touring with the group for the first time on the Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad. Welcome Chanell. We love you madly Bob!
Bob Stewart and Chanell Crichlow
Eli and Manika at Yoho Open Studio, Yonkers, New York (photo by George M. Gutierrez)
Greetings friends. Welcome to my new blog. I’m so glad to have this space to share my travels and insights with you. I’ll do my best to be brief and share things I think you will find meaningful. I live by the words above and I do all I can to share this feeling with the world! Again, welcome. I look forward to hearing from you….Eli
