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 […]

2013 Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival

The newspapers wrote, “Jammin’ with Yamin,” and you know, it really was.  It’s my dream and mission for jazz education to feel like the real thing–as creative, adventurous and rapturous as performing it and that’s what’s happening at The Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival. I’m so grateful for this wonderful festival that provides the opportunity […]

Eli’s blues message in a State Department salute to Black History Month

I’m honored to be featured in this article on the blues on the US Embassy website… “American Blues Music Formed by Pain to Cure Pain” — by Stephen Kaufman

Two Pianos Two Minds One Message – FREEDOM

Great times presenting on the music of the Civil Rights Movement this week at Mesa Arts Center with maestro Damien Sneed.  What a pleasure and honor.  Looking forward to next week’s concert with Eli Yamin Blues Band and the Okra Dance Company at TriBeca Performing Arts Center in lower Manhattan, Friday, October 26 at 8pm.  […]