Art Jazz Club

Dear Everybody

I've just got back from the most wonderful evening at the Art Jazz Club tucked behind the Orizont Art Gallery in  B-dul N. Bâlcescu, where one of Flori's ex-students is lead singer in a marvellous band of a strange mixture of Celtic and traditional world influence. With Greek, Brazilian, Italian, English and of course Romanian music, Flori, Alina and I were enchanted the whole evening through. Here's an extract from YouTubes as I can't transfer my recording for you due to the size of the file: http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=DnBUiTwlaBY

Aren't they great? They really are. How on earth did that Celtic sound get to Romania? Well, explained Flori knowingly, the Vikings were here, too, you know. Actually, I had no idea at all. Live and learn! I guess they were as attracted to the sarmale, vinete and good old palinca as I. They were no fools, those ole Vikings!

Picture the scene, I pray: small, low ceilinged club behind afore-mentioned art gallery, volume not too loud so's you could hear yourself think as well as speak though noone did as we were all equally transported by such lovely music, livelyand appreciative atmosphere, lots of humour - Catalin the guitarist's a funny guy - and plenty of background on each song. There was even a moment when an instrument was played made out of...wait for it...pumpkin (yes, you read that right!): a kind of tuneful, soulful crumhorn if you can imagine it! A really excellent night. Thank you so much Flori for the invitation, Alina for her company and of course Florentina (pictured below in white shirt), Catalin and the rest of the band for such formidable talent. Can't wait for the next concert!

And to think I almost cancelled - a voice like a rusty frog, a dreadful cold and after a long day of teaching behind me, I was in no mood for a night out! Thank heavens for Flori's powers of persuasion!

                               

       

For more pix, see the album Jazz Bucharest

And so to bed - another late night tomorrow - our big dinner with Lydia from Gradinitsa at Bistro Ateneu. I'm just waiting for the call to say the reservation can't be kept because there are too many of us (16)! Then it'll be sandwiches in Cismigiu by the light of the moon!

Good night all!

Love Sarah xox