On April 30th, we celebrated International Jazz Day on Roosevelt Island at Gallery RIVAA- the home of art (and now Jazz) on Roosevelt Island.

This was a true jam session format, and lineups kept rotating all evening.. We had about 15 musicians that came (representing the world ) and included folks whose origins included exotic international locations such as Detroit (go Ken and Mark!) , Texas (way to go Andrew) , Indiana, Astor Place NY, Argentina (Eduardo) , France via italy ( my man Francois ) , Brooklyn (yes!) , Japan, Madagascar (go Bruno!) the UK, and of my small contribution from India, and more - Truly International !

It was great to have Roosevelt Island musicians strut their stuff: Mark Hynes (Tenor,) Paul Sadler (tenor), Andrew Baird (guitar) and yes on drums the phenomenal young Jordan Carr, who grew up next door..and is someone to watch as he grows into his chosen profession.

Special thanks to Bruno, Ken , Francois and Dan who also help me with our volunteer sessions at the Roosevelt Island Senior Center and bring joy to many. If you would like to volunteer, let me know,. the catch is that the sessions are on weekdays around noon time..and its hard for many to make this happen, but no worries.

Jazz is international music that has no boundaries and has the power to bind us together, not divide. it speaks a universal language and to universal truths. There has been no war that has been fought over jazz (except over too many beers while arguing Ron Carter over Jaco, or post-bop vs straight ahead !).


Video and fine photos, courtesy the jazz loving Danko Suvar from Roosevelt Island via former Yugoslavia !