First Ever- Jazz Drama Program Summer Jazz Arts Institute

  We did it!  On July 1 and 2, we broke ground on the first ever Jazz Drama Program Summer Jazz Arts Institute.  With my great colleagues LaFrae Sci, Tom Dempsey, Shireen Dickson, and Jeanie LoVetri we launched what we hope will be a vital charging station for imaginative education through jazz for years to […]

Guatemala Jazz Festival 2015 – Final Day

The last day of the tour was my favorite because we visited and gave a workshop at La Alianza, a shelter for girls who are victims of trafficking and sexual violence.  The place is run exceptionally well by a staff of extremely devoted and expert women who give these girls the support and shelter they […]

Guatemala Jazz Festival 2015 – Ambassador’s Residence

Back to Guatemala City now for a reception at the residence of U.S. Ambassador Todd Robinson.  We could not ask for a more welcoming host.  Ambassador Robinson hails from Newark, NJ, a jazz town once and forever.  He truly believes in the power of jazz to uplift and unite everyone.  He is also an idealist […]

Guatemala Jazz Festival 2015 – Coban

The second day of the tour we drove to Coban in central Guatemala.  The city is surrounded by beautiful mountains and has a more country feel to it.  Watch out for the chocolate soup before lunch~!  I thought I was in heaven. In the afternoon we gave a workshop in a municipal building to students […]

Guatemala Jazz Festival 2015 – Concert in Guatemala City

Our first concert of the tour was at the auditorium at Instituto Guatemala Americano in Guatemala City.  It was a pleasure to play the Baldwin grand on stage and interact with the audience who engaged deeply with us.  Our program included songs from our recent CD,  “Louie’s Dream, for our jazz heroes.”  We played the […]

Guatemala Jazz Festival 2015 – workshop Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala

It was wonderful to return to Guatemala, this time with quartet and LaFrae Sci on drums (she and I were there in 2011 with the Blues Band), Evan Christopher on clarinet and Paul Beaudry on bass.  The first day we gave a workshop at Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, got to know the wonderful […]

I bet you can play too! Play the Blues with Eli  

What can I say to the parents of children who want to be professional musicians?

Mom:  “Eli, my son loves music and says he wants to be a musician.  Can you pleeeese convince him out of it?” Eli: Young man, you must ALWAYS play music.  The music you make brings beauty and positive spirit to the world.  And goodness knows, we need more of it.  Choosing a career in music is […]

Eli Yamin gives online lessons from Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Jazz Academy

  Eli Yamin celebrates Dave Brubeck on Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Jazz Academy In mid-december, producer Seton Hawkins from Jazz at Lincoln Center asked me if I wanted to film some lessons on Dave Brubeck’s classic quartet–Paul Desmond, Eugene Wright and Joe Morello.  He said to think about a band who could talk about these […]

LIVE WEBCAST WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18

We are thrilled to report 4 sold out shows at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.  Please join us from wherever you are around the globe for the free webcast thanks to Jazz at Lincoln Center! Webcast Eli Yamin & Friends December 18, 7:30-10:45pm EST I am joined […]