Baylor Jazz In Greece - Day 8

This was one of the most rewarding days I have had as musician.  It wasn't because it was an amazing playing experience, even though the band played amazingly well, it wasn't because we played in the most amazing hall, or because we collaborated with the most amazing musicians.....It's because we brought Joy.

Today started out relaxed.  Another sleep in day.  We met all together, and had some individual practice time, and then we ate yet another amazing meal at the church.  We are so spoiled!  The food is unreal!

Then we helped to collect the bags of food and eggs to take to the refugees.  The donations from our Cd's paid for all of this food we wanted to give out tonight!

Then we rode the metro to our next gig.  An abandoned school that they have turned into a place to live for refugees from Syria.  We got in and got set up and the second we started playing, the smiles and dancing started.  Music and dance are such universal languages.

It was so much fun.  Kids and adults smiling.  Us taking their pictures, them taking ours.  They recorded us and danced and shook our hands.  It was amazing.  I talked to "my kiddos" (my band)
about how different these people are than the ones we hear about or see on TV.  They are people just like us.  I just hope that we showed them the same.  That this is the best of the people in the USA.  I am so proud of all my "kids."  We played Jazz for MANY people that had never heard it before. 

The Quote of the night....(I was talking to three gentlemen from Damascus, Syria and one spoke English)  He thanked me and all three shook my hand and he said, "Thank you, Thank you for coming here and playing for us.  You brought us Joy.  Sometimes we go weeks or months without Joy, and today, you brought us Joy.  Did you see looks of the faces of these people?'   I replied, "Did you see the looks on the faces of my band?  Tonight, we also had Joy!"

 The beginning of the first tune, they are still trying to figure us out.

 Chandler wailing on "Georgia on My Mind!"

 And the dancing started!!

 "Sassy" Sally soloing from the back row!

 Spencer found a fan!!

 We may have had a few extra notes being played tonight!!

 The band in the school yard.

 Going out to dance during "In the Mood"

 Everyone was smiling and clapping and dancing all night long.

 "When the Saints" with our Dixie group.  What a perfect song for today.  

We felt blessed to be there!!

 They were all around us!

 I got to dance with some little kids too!

Then after we played, they wanted to show us some of their traditional dances.

  

 Ivan joined in on the first dance!

 Brandon, joined the second dance.

We were able to pass out lollipops and suckers to the kids.

 Brady rocking his solo! 

 This little guy wanted to see my music.  He's a future big band conductor.

And this little guy entertained us with new ways to use trombone mutes!!  

I hope that we let them see the real America today.  I know that my life was changed today by meeting these great people.  People that are so different than what you hear about on TV.  and I am constantly amazed by the power of music.  I can't speak to them, but we start playing and they can't help but smile and dance.  Pure Joy!!

More tomorrow...

Thanks for following us on our journey.  

The Baylor Jazz Ensemble

Baylor Jazz In Greece - Day 7

What an amazing morning for us here in Greece.  We got to the church at 9 AM and rehearsed and then played in the church service at the First Evangelical Church of Athens.  It was such a cool experience.  We also performed with their organist (collaborating with musicians from all over the world is always amazing).  Every time we played, half of the congregation pulled out their phones to video our music.  The Pastor said he'd never seen anything like that before.   We sang together in English and Greek.  Music is a universal language!!

 More people came in after I took this  It was standing room only!

 Our host, Pastor Giotis.

There was a great message delivered by a visiting minister from Nashville.  Then we played some more and then we got to talk to the people.  Greeks, people from the Netherlands, Americans in Greece for mission trips, Armenians, a family from China.... People from all over the world, worshiping together.

We asked for donations for our Cd that we made and all proceeds would go for food for the refugees.  We made 645 Euros to buy food to take with us this week!!!!!


And then they fed us....Wow are the feeding us!

 Quote of the day...Spencer...."this is the best meat loaf I have EVER had!"

That's mashed potatoes with ham and really good tasting spices!

and punch with real raspberries and fruit 

And we are getting so spoiled by desserts at every meal!

This was amazing!

Then we had a bit of down time followed by a bus trip towards the southern most tip of mainland Greece, Sounion., to see the Temple of Poseidon.

We stopped on our way down to go to a beach and swim in the Aegean Sea.  This beach had sand!!

 Beach Time!!!

 Baylor Jazz in Silouette

We are definitely living the life!!

Then up to Sounion....The TEMPLE OF POSIEDON....

 Interesting fact.  The government picks up strays, and fixes them, and then returns them to the street.  The people of Greece take care of them.  they feel it is their duty!

 Check out this pic....

 So colorful!

 Mollie!!

 Trumpet Dudes

 And....the sun is gone!

No, my pic is better....Dude, look at the pic i got.....

On the way back we played an entertaining game of: everyone comes up with one word at a time, around the bus, and let's make up a story.  It was very entertaining!

Tomorrow, we rest in the morning and then go to our first refugee camp.  We are so excited about these camps.  Already a trip to remember, this Greece trip is about to include a life changing experience for all of us.  I hope we spread some joy and happiness tomorrow!

Thank you for following us, 

The Baylor Jazz Ensemble.

Baylor Jazz In Greece - Day 6

There is not as much to blog about today, because after two intense days of climbing and hiking and sight seeing (over 24,000 steps and between 40 and 60 flights of stairs), it was time to have a little slower day.  So, we designated the morning as a sleep in/go souvenir shopping day.  It was much needed!

We met at 4:00 at the church and had individual practice time for an hour before we had another great meal at the church.  Then we rode the Metro to  the end of the line, and then got on a city bus to our next performance, at a church in Glyfada.

We have discovered that the churches that are planted in these neighborhoods are quite different.  this church is in the top floor of a house.  It consists of one big room and two smaller rooms and a back yard.  We were a part of their cultural nights, and the back yard was packed!!

They loved it and all the neighbors came out on their balconies to listen.  We took donations as we handed out Cd's, to buy some things for the refugees that we will be visiting this week.

We had a blast tonight and we got to meet lots of church members and many college kids from the USA that are here working with refugees.

Here are some pics from tonight:

Chandler rocking on Georgia on My Mind

  The Band

 Spencer's Awesome face on the last note of "Hunting Wabbits"

 Ivan, soloing!

 Oh! When the Saints....

 Must have played a "Sick Lick"

 A fun night and some amazing people!!!!

Tomorrow, we get to play at the church that is hosting us so well while we are here in Greece.  It will be live streamed if you'd like to get up at 3:00 Waco time in the morning to watch us.  (The website is.....aeee.gr)  

Then we have a meal at the church, and then board a bus to head towards Sounion to watch the sunset at the Temple of Poseidon, after we stop at a beach to swim along the way!!

A fun day ahead!!

Thanks for following us, 

The Baylor Jazz Ensemble