Manaus, Brazil
We arrived in Manaus to a press conference in the airport and what do you know, these reporters were prepared with good questions. I’ll scan the articles when I can. Thing is, you’ll need to read Portuguese to understand them. We love the headline, “O JAZZ COMO PODER DE CURA.” “Jazz is able to be […]
Belem, Brazil
Belem is a music town! There are multiple symphonic orchestras and a jazz orchestra here. We did 2 concerts and a workshop. We got an up close introduction to the mystical world of Carimbo and visited old churches, a fort, an open air market and had killer seafood. Seems like everywhere we go, the Fishin’ […]
Fortaleza, Brazil
What a piano! It’s amazing how the possibilities open with a fine Steinway instrument at my fingertips. We opened the concert with our new arrangement of the spiritual, “Trouble of the World.” After hearing this arrangement, one person observed, “Now I know where John Coltrane and those guys were coming from!” It’s true, African American […]
American Bi-National Center
Last night was an amazing experience. We performed for students, diplomats and friends of the American Bi-National Center in Recife. This is a place that teaches classes in English. Of course, we saw it as the perfect opportunity to invite the Maracatou kids from Corpos Percussivos. We were so knocked out to perform two songs […]
Posted in Arts Education, Blues Band in Brazil, Cultural Diplomacy, Eli Yamin Blues Band, Jazz education, Recife 2 Comments
Sitting In
Speaking of community. At the Conservatory we learned of a benefit for a beloved bassist in the community organized by his son. The club was packed with folks pitching in for the cause. LaFrae and I were honored to take part and sat in with the band on “I Feel So Glad” by Hop Wilson […]
Recife Conservatory
On Tuesday, we spent the day at the Recife Conservatory which has been teaching music to generations of Brazilians for many years. As a matter of fact, many of the current teachers were once students at the conservatory which makes the place more then a school. It is a family. We felt right at home. […]
Recife, Brazil
We arrived in Recife in the north eastern Brazil on Monday. No sooner did we arrive then we visited the famous school of Maracatou Drumming called Corpos Percussivos. We were instantly enthralled by the great energy in the room. The students were fully engaged physically, mentally and emotionally in the extraordinary rhythms and spirit of […]
Blues Band Broadcast from Albania
This just in from Albania. It’s an excerpt from our Rhythm Road Tour in June where we appeared on E Diel, the live, weekly, variety show broadcast nationwide. We were knocked out by the multi-generational-over-the-top-enthusiastic reception we received there. Thanks again to our great hosts at the Embassy in Tirane and our wonderful co-sponsors at […]
Blues Band back in the U.S.
We returned to the U.S. on June 2, had a day off, then hopped the train to Washington DC for a concert at the National Geographic Society. The following day we were invited to the U.S. Department of State in Washington to discuss our trip with officials from the Department of Education and Cultural Affairs […]
Blues Band in Tirane, Albania
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 […]
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