Talca, Chile
We arrived here Wednesday and saw many devastated buildings. The only place the concert could be held was in an art gallery. The gallery was gorgeous, decked out with super-fine works of art both modern and classic. Again, Chileans blew us away with their resilience. Life is incredibly vibrant here. And the will of the […]
Chillan, Chile
Arrived in Chile last Saturday. Had a day to visit Pablo Neruda’s house in Santiago then headed South to the area hardest hit by the Earthquake in late February. We have been blown away by the warmth of the people down here. Chileans LOVE the BLUES!
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 […]
Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, Workshops
The next couple of days I gave four workshops at the festival. One on the blues,”The Blues is the Roots, Everything Else is the Fruits.” We stomp/clapped, delved into the cultural and emotional roots of the blues, sang “Wade in the Water and the “What Gives You the Blues Blues.” Once we got on instruments, […]
Posted in Arts Education 1 Comment
Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, Jazz in the Schools
I just flew back from the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho. What a magnificent experience! Over eight thousand music students, phenomenal volunteer and business community support, incredible artists and teachers. I’ve never seen anything like it. On Monday I formed a pick up band with 5 music students and alums from the University […]
Posted in Arts Education 1 Comment
You Can’t Buy Swing at the White House
I’m still pinching myself but it’s true, we played at the White House with my quintet three times over the holidays in the East Room. When I was there for the Jazz Studio in June, I left a couple copies of my CD, You Can’t Buy Swing, for them to check out. Sure enough, in […]
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