We (Eli Yamin, Kate McGarry, Bob Stewart & I) arrived in Recife, Brazil in the early afternoon. We had the whole day to catch up on our rest before beginning our schedule of workshops and clinics….but I simply couldn’t sit in my hotel knowing that something like this was happening out there somewhere.
This is my first day in Brazil.
Thankyou Jorge Martins and Marivaldo Lima!
Thankyou Edvaldo S. Amorim for taking my perhaps not so sublte requests seriously and arranging the visit!!!
I spend a few hours each week teaching Jazz Language at the Middle School Jazz Academy out of Jazz @ Lincoln Center. I work with the students on understanding the rhythm and swing of jazz, the power of the blues, and I lead them through history as we explore the lives and music of Jazz Masters like Louis Armstrong, Mary Lou Williams, Thelonius Monk, Tito Puente, Lester Young, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Charles Mingus, Art Blakey and Nina Simone (to name a few).
I also have two private drum students in the Academy.
I very much appreciate the opportunity to present the music and tradition that I love to young people. It is beautiful to watch them discover themselves and their place in this music.
It is also a joy to work along side my dear friend and musical colleague Eli Yamin (www.eliyamin.com) who is the program founding Head of Instruction.
These are a few shots from their final concert/graduation day combined with one of my favorite Duke Ellington tunes, Rockin’ in Rhythm.