Music and Chocolate Cake in Zagreb, Croatia
So I got home from my weekend in Ohio, Sunday night with no chance to photograph the neighborhood for the weekly photo challenge as it was dark outside. Changing the clocks didn’t help me with enough light by the time I pulled in the driveway
-but in my inbox I found a message from my son Matthew who lives in Zagreb, Croatia (9 years already!)
The subject of his email: Guest blog 
The dilemma of what to post? SOLVED!
—————————————————————————————————————————–
Dear Ma, Yesterday I spent the evening with the Kaplowitz family. My dear friend Joe Kaplowitz is pretty much the only American I know over here and he invited me over for an American-style chocolate cake. Not only is he a brilliant jazz musician but he is quite an accomplished baker to boot! His beautiful wife Lela is a marvelous singer and they recently came out with a big-band album of original compositions called With Every Breath that you can hear (and buy!) here After enjoying a generously-sized hunk of cake chased by a glass of milk, Joe, Lela, their daughter Lucija and I played a cut-throat game of Name That Tune. Lucija is also a budding musician, so as you might imagine the competition was pretty stiff. Then we headed to the parlor for a concert. Joe and Lucija, who plays the violin, teamed up for a set of traditional Croatian melodies played over some soulful blues piano. Perhaps I was witnessing the concept for the next album being born. Joe’s cake was so tasty that I plan to go back over tomorrow for another sliver. In keeping with the spirit of the blog, will get the recipe tomorrow and send it to you! Love, Matthew p.s. Here is the recipe, just in from Zagreb this morning
Pittsburgh jazz scene alive and well at CJ’s in the Strip
My Funny Valentine expertly played by Sean Jones on trumpet- we stopped in for about twenty minutes as we headed to megabus. Matthew was here for about ten hours.
Jazz starts at 8 on Thursdays Check out http://www.cjsinthestrip.com and to listen go to http://www.rogerhumphries.com
Tony Monaco on Hammond B3 Organ – Jazz at the Rumba Cafe
Matthew heard Tony play a couple of months ago in Zagreb at a Jazz Festival and now Tuesday night in Columbus, Ohio, Tony Monaco’s hometown. Started at nine, we stayed ’til midnight and Tony was just getting warmed up ready for another set. Reggie Jackson on drums and Derek Dicenza on guitar. Reminded me of the time Matthew and Mary and I went to the Village Vanguard and saw Dr. Lonnie Smith on Hammond B3. Matthew loves to listen to the Hammond B3, It was a fun night with James and Steve.
Gershwin & Jazz at Bakery Square
Left the gym to get coffee at Coffee Roasters and found live music. With the weather change it was chilly but I drank coffee and ate oatmeal to warm up. Tania Grubbs, Jeff Grubbs, Daniel May on keyboard (in from CA). Tania will be performing at the new 5 star hotel @ Market Square Wed Sept 8th 5:30-8:30 in Andy’s Winebar. Jeff is a member of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Right on Penn Avenue, Saturday afternoon.
All That Djazz – Great Gyspy Jazz at Twisp River Pub. WA
Gershwin, Djazz, All of Me, Black Orpheus to name a few....Sitting along the Twisp River, enjoying the 3 hours of music without a single break.
Mary, David and I enjoyed three hours of music. Final night in WA we drove up to Twisp River Pub. There was a guest clarinet, Wayne Mendro. John Weeks on the violin. Dick White on guitar arranges everything. Mike Lundstrom on dobro and singing. Ron Clark on the bass and a guitar tonight.
Here is what I found at their website. … “All That Djazz” is a Gypsy Jazz quartet based in North Central Washington state with a repertoire comparable to that of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, the guitarist and violinist who formed the legendary “Quintet of the Hot Club of France” in 1934. The “Quintet of the Hot Club of France” is considered by many jazz historians to be the best jazz ensemble of all time. Django Reinhardt was certainly the most renowned jazz guitarist of his day. “All That Djazz” pays homage to their hero and mentor Django in the spelling of Djazz.” quote from the website for All That Djazz (click)
The light on the right is an old beer keg. Note the hops growing behind the band.
Recent Comments