Taca Airlines/ going up and down South America

Taca Airways
Yesterday we waved good bye to our friends in Colombia. We have had an unusual zig zag up and down the continent of South America. Bogota is near the top and now we are near the bottom on the east coast side.
Our flight arrived at 4:15 am. to Montevideo, Uruguay. We changed planes in Lima, Peru again before boarding the second flight. On our early flight, which was dinner time in the U.S., we did not realize that it is lunch for South America, so we laughed when we saw what we thought was dinner. Tim is enjoying his dinner.

Goodbye Bogota -

This was the workshop group at Juan Valdez, plus Clara Lopez (our jazz guru).
We are packing once again. JazzIam had a great concert last night to say farewell to the city of Bogota. We performed at Auditorio Jorge Tadeo Lozano to a rousing crowd. The band was on fire, the show was recorded. We drew a standing "O" and an encore. I brought up three of the college singers from Javeriana University for a little 'Blue Monk' blowing which was big fun.
We are headed to Uruguay today at 5 pm. We will arrive in Montevideo at 4:15 am.? On to a new adventure!

Manizales, Colombia

Clara Lopez is the Jazz 'mom' in Manizales and is making big waves musically for the young musicians futures in jazz here in Manizales.
Clara, Roseanna and Marlene Saavedra.

We arrived yesterday morning to the discovery that Manizales is one of the most beautiful locations in Colombia. It is very San Francisco in it's terrain with deep hills and beautiful views.
We had an incredible concert last night in the beautiful Auditorio Universidad Nacional. They had to turn away 50 people. The audience was great and we had a jam with the local University students afterwards in the concert hall - big fun. Today is a day off - Laundry anyone?

Ambassador Brownfields Big Party

Conductor of symphony

Monica Giraldo-Grammy Nom artist - Bob,Tim, Ro, Ambassador Brownfield, musician

Tonight we were presented by Ambassador Brownfield. The Ambassador has an amazing, palacial home fit for a king. On his wall are great black and white photo's of 'Lubbock' Texas. He is another Southern escapee. About 150 important writers, artists, musicians, gallery owners, just a great audience of interesting people were there to perform to and converse with. We started the evening with an interview with a National Newspaper, ElEspectador with journalist Juan Piedrahita. Then on to the bandstand outside. The Ambassador gave a great opening speech and then JazzIam blasted off into a great set of music. We finished and were greeted with cheers for an encore and of course we joyously obliged. Joel, Bob and Tim are sounding fantastic. We're all working on our Spanish. Tomorrow morning we're off to Manizales, which is supposed to be lovely.

Radio Interview on thursday at 2 pm. from Bogota!

Radio, Javeriana University - RadJaveriana io 91.9 FM We headed to the Javeriana Conservatory for an interview which will be played on the internet, June 4th at 2 pm. (we're an hour earlier than NYC here). Go to www.javerianaestereo.com

Batua School Workshop at Ambassador Brownfields

(Claudia-our interpreter and also a lovely singer)
Today was the most beautiful day imaginable here in Bogota. We headed out at 8:30 am. for our security briefing at the U.S. Embassy. Security here is like nothing I have ever seen or experienced. This is a large Embassy with about 4000 employees and if you really need help, they give you a number for the Marines!

Then we had a classic Colombian lunch, with beautiful local soups, shrimps and avocados.

Off to Ambassador Brownfields residence for a workshop with 50 classical students from Batuta school. These kids were all classical musicians. We had another great workshop, four high school singers sat in and scat sang with me and then three of Javeriana's vocal jazz students got up and sang "Autumn Leaves" and scatted very well. Tim has been asked to give a special drum clinic when we come back from Mantizales on thursday. Teaching the kids about jazz and hearing them get it, is the best part of my gig.

The Road to Bogota`

No musician ever said the 'Road' is easy. This morning we had to leave for the airport at 4:30 am. and I haven't slept yet! We passed through the Lima, Peru airport and I had hoped that I might see my friends Kenny and Lorraine Werner, coming home from their vacation in Peru. Kenny emailed me that he would be there at 4:30 pm. today and we left at 1pm. darn...it almost happened!

Bogota` is a huge city and we are anxious to see some of this amazing country. Tomorrow we will present a workshop and a concert at the Ambassador's residence. Time to rest.

Hotel Bertea, Coronel Oviedo,Paraguay

This was my pillow at Hotel Bertea.