Anchors Away

Danny: Djibouti Africa

Today we were escorted by Omar and his driver to the Camp Lemonier Naval instillation in Djibouti. This was originally the site of a WW 2 French North African base.
We were allowed to shop in the instillation store, where coincidentally there was a NY Mets game on the t.v.(I was born and raised in Flushing, the teams home) and there were all sorts of great deals on stuff from the States. We are playing tonight in a giant hall for the enlisted men and women. Everyone is so happy to have a band from home come play for them.

We met Command Master Chief , Loretta Glenn, she is from new Orleans and she was kind enough to pose with us.

We have been working with Command Seargent Major, Ricky Mattix. He is a great musician and educator here in Djibouti. He lent us the base PA in order to do our workshops. He volunteers his time, teaching music to the youth canteen here in Djibouti. He brought us to the camp and we will join his band later when we play. He surprised us all when he gave us a coin that is a symbol of excellence.

We then were escorted to the mess hall, where we chowed down with the troops. There are Navy, Air force, Army and Marines here on the only US instillation in Africa.

Earlier today, the US Ambassador Geeta Pasi, spent an hour with us over coffee and tea. We were thrilled to talk with her about Djibouti, New York state, India
and all the interesting things going on in the world right now. We had a great time and learned so much about this country.

Africa, oh Africa

Damny: Djibouti Africa

Last night we played at the home of the US Ambassador to Djibouti. She hosted a gathering in her garden for local business leaders, service men & women, embassy personnel and of course the JRB.

We set up on the veranda and were introduced by our amazing new friend and caretaker, Omar. He remarked that America is made up of immigrants from all over the globe and that we forged a unique American art form, Jazz. You can hear in it the call and response and its pulse, the heartbeat of Africa.
In that moment I felt so blessed to be here in Africa, playing music and breathing in her sweet salted sea-breeze. I have to pinch myself sometimes, because this is such a dream to play this music here in Africa where these rhythms were forged.

We played for an hour and everyone listened and participated in some call and response. A new friend was busy sketching us as we played.

We handed out CD's to our new friends and are looking forward to seeing them all on FB. We are so lucky to meet such beautiful, charming and interesting people from all over the world. The people of Djibouti and the US Embassy here, have opened their arms to us.

Me & a mosquito bracelet

After the concert, Omar took us to an amazing French style Lebonese resturaunt. Here we met other emmbassy friends from all over the States. We had whole fish grilled in a
stone pit oven over wood embers.

Bon Appetite :)

"Djibouti Beauty"

Brian; Djibouti

I find the people of Djibouti to be beautiful and colorful in appearance as well as spirit.

 

Music is a powerful and universal healing force.

My job is to try and tap into and reinforce life's magic pulse.

Johnny Meets Hasna Maki

Johnny's First Impression of Goat...

Joe(Djibouti)

JRB ate goat for the first time at a local restaurant here in Djibouti.

ب

The Doctor Is In!

Dr. Lonnie Smith

Johnny:  JORDAN

All of us can learn life lessons from legendary jazz musicians.

Joe once told me a story about seeing the great organist Dr. Lonnie Smith in concert at Smoke Jazz Club on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

Dr. Lonnie Smith at Smoke, NYC

Dr. Lonnie was about to play a song when he suddenly stopped and looked up at the audience.
He thought for a moment and smiled, then said, “You know, it’s funny.  Sometimes I sit at this organ and I have no idea what I’m going to play.”  Then he laughed.
That comment has really stuck with me.

In music, as in life, we have no idea what surprise is around the next corner.  The only thing we can really bring to the table is our good intentions, open hearts and minds, and our reaction to what the moment offers us.

I feel the same way about this tour.  I had only abstract visions about what I would encounter.
Like music, my experiences so far have left me searching for words to describe them.
I am thankful for the sounds, images, good memories, and new friends we made in Jordan.
We certainly attempt to document special moments on our video cameras and in photos, but technology never truly captures the magic of the living moment, especially in music.

Feeling the Moment

I know I am changing for the better through sharing music.  I trust I am not the only one the music changes.

Here is a small collection of images that are but small representations, mental bookmarks, of some of my memories of our time in Jordan...

All Aboard!

Shoo-Fly-Pie!!

Jordanian Olive Trees - Rachael Ray, Eat Your Heart Out!

Mudman's New Axe - MUCH LIGHTER!

Veiled Serenity

Unanimously Approved

Cotton-Eyed Joy

Aaaaay! - Arthur Fonzarelli would be proud...

Backbeat - On 2 and 4

Peas & Carrots

Music - Always Plenty For Everyone

Our New Pal, JP @ Mood 92

Sally, Our Guest Conductor in Irbid

Heartfelt thanks and praise to Ambassador Jones and the US-Jordanian Embassy Staff:
Karin Ehlert, Reem Abdel Hadi, Haytham Hamad, Ramzi Abu Mohammad, Emad Al Mushati, and the many others who worked so hard and made it look so easy.
Our time here was short, but the ambitious programming and smooth handling of it made it feel so full and satisfying.
We hope to return soon...

Karin Ehlert (left) & JRB with UNRWA School Staff (and 2 mischievous students - boys will be boys!)

"Grateful, Grateful, Truly Grateful I Am.

Grateful, Grateful, Duly Blessed and Truly Grateful.”

~ John Bucchino