Siberia -December 2011...Just Wow!
| Beautiful frozen trees of Siberia...photo taken from the train |
Sometimes the universe creates opportunities that you
never think will happen...and then they do. I travel all
over the world doing the music thang and promoting
human rights, but I never envisioned it would take me
so far far away....
Earlier this month, I recently gave two concerts in
SIBERIA. That's right...you read that right....SIBERIA!
Recommended by my friend Professor Louie, a
brilliant musician, I was later contacted by Edward
Shornik of Novosibirsk, Siberia to perform in his area
of the world; and learn more about the culture, the
people, and the music. It was a great collaboration.
After months and months of planning, getting visas,
learning music, my tour manager, Eric Jansen, and I
arrived in Russia; not yet knowing the amazing
experiences that were yet to come.
I arrived first, and Edward met me at the airport in
Moscow (and this was a four hour flight for him). After
some crazy Passport Control moments, I was cleared
(and I think still relatively sane) after the nine hour
flight from Dulles.
The flight to Novosibirsk didn't leave until many hours
later, and Eric would arrive a few hours later in
Moscow as well, so Edward and I headed out on the
train to Moscow to check out the city.
What a lovely city. We went to Red Square, took
photos at The Kremlin and Lenin's tomb, and ate
traditional Russian food in a lovely restaurant...yep, I
was still awake! Ironically, I arrived the day of the
elections...
After seeing Moscow, we headed back to the airport
to pick up Eric, and then took an overnight flight to
Novosibirsk, where we would spend the week.
So, I left on Friday, and finally arrived to Novo early
Sunday morning. Wow.
We arrived at the Doubltree Hilton Hotel at 5am,
checked in and crashed.
Our trip sponsor was Beerman Restaurants.
There are not enough kind words to say about the
sponsors, owners and the staff. Not only did they pay
for my travel, hotel, ALL fees, but Eric and I were given
free meals in the restaurant daily. All musicians have
nightmare stories about organizers, sponsors, club
owners, etc...this experience was more than the
opposite.
Our first concert was also in the lovely Beerman
performance space. With a packed and appreciative
audience, we had a great time. Kudos and many
thanks to the Beerman folks. The staff is fantastic and
friendly. We hope to see you again! THE FOOD IS
EXCELLENT TOO!!!
My band while in Siberia was excellent! There is some
serious soul going on in Russia. Lead by the Roman
Stolyer Trio, we had a rocking good time.
African American music has permeated the world,
even as far as Siberia. That being said, I was the only
person of color I saw in Novo, and I was of interest to
many a passersby. :)
Our second concert was six hours away in
Novokuznetsk at the lovely Mes Amis Restaurant,
(you will find photos of the evening by clicking on the
link) where they had a New Orleans themed menu in
honor of our concert. What another friendly and
welcoming staff. We thank you!
People were dancing to "Let the Good TImes
Roll"....and I even sang a Russian folk song (in
Russian!) to two very appreciative audiences.
We performed Jazz, Blues, Gospels and Spirituals...I
truly am convinced that music is a great unifier. Very
very few people spoke English, but we spoke to our
souls through the music.
We left on a 7am train (IT WAS COOOOOOLD!!) for
our long trip back to Novosibirsk. The train ride was
wondrous.
It is all part of my dedication to UMOJA (means
"unity" in Swahili) MUSICA, an organization I
began with like-minded friends to continue our
commitment to take the music around the world
with the message of peace, nonviolence, and
tolerance -- and have some fun in the process!
Find about UMOJA GAELICA HERE.
Thank you Edward for being such a kind host and
wonderful champion for unity and a new friend. Thank
you for exposing us to a culture we only knew from
books (we even went to the ballet to see "Spartacus"
at the Grand Opera house in Novosibirsk).
And to the warm and friendly people of Siberia...we
thank you. I will be back (maybe during your summer
when it isn't -25. :)) Or maybe, just for your
chocolate and tea :)
never think will happen...and then they do. I travel all
over the world doing the music thang and promoting
human rights, but I never envisioned it would take me
so far far away....
Earlier this month, I recently gave two concerts in
SIBERIA. That's right...you read that right....SIBERIA!
Recommended by my friend Professor Louie, a
brilliant musician, I was later contacted by Edward
Shornik of Novosibirsk, Siberia to perform in his area
of the world; and learn more about the culture, the
people, and the music. It was a great collaboration.
After months and months of planning, getting visas,
learning music, my tour manager, Eric Jansen, and I
arrived in Russia; not yet knowing the amazing
experiences that were yet to come.
I arrived first, and Edward met me at the airport in
Moscow (and this was a four hour flight for him). After
some crazy Passport Control moments, I was cleared
(and I think still relatively sane) after the nine hour
flight from Dulles.
The flight to Novosibirsk didn't leave until many hours
later, and Eric would arrive a few hours later in
Moscow as well, so Edward and I headed out on the
train to Moscow to check out the city.
What a lovely city. We went to Red Square, took
photos at The Kremlin and Lenin's tomb, and ate
traditional Russian food in a lovely restaurant...yep, I
was still awake! Ironically, I arrived the day of the
elections...
After seeing Moscow, we headed back to the airport
to pick up Eric, and then took an overnight flight to
Novosibirsk, where we would spend the week.
So, I left on Friday, and finally arrived to Novo early
Sunday morning. Wow.
We arrived at the Doubltree Hilton Hotel at 5am,
checked in and crashed.
Our trip sponsor was Beerman Restaurants.
There are not enough kind words to say about the
sponsors, owners and the staff. Not only did they pay
for my travel, hotel, ALL fees, but Eric and I were given
free meals in the restaurant daily. All musicians have
nightmare stories about organizers, sponsors, club
owners, etc...this experience was more than the
opposite.
Our first concert was also in the lovely Beerman
performance space. With a packed and appreciative
audience, we had a great time. Kudos and many
thanks to the Beerman folks. The staff is fantastic and
friendly. We hope to see you again! THE FOOD IS
EXCELLENT TOO!!!
My band while in Siberia was excellent! There is some
serious soul going on in Russia. Lead by the Roman
Stolyer Trio, we had a rocking good time.
African American music has permeated the world,
even as far as Siberia. That being said, I was the only
person of color I saw in Novo, and I was of interest to
many a passersby. :)
Our second concert was six hours away in
Novokuznetsk at the lovely Mes Amis Restaurant,
(you will find photos of the evening by clicking on the
link) where they had a New Orleans themed menu in
honor of our concert. What another friendly and
welcoming staff. We thank you!
People were dancing to "Let the Good TImes
Roll"....and I even sang a Russian folk song (in
Russian!) to two very appreciative audiences.
We performed Jazz, Blues, Gospels and Spirituals...I
truly am convinced that music is a great unifier. Very
very few people spoke English, but we spoke to our
souls through the music.
We left on a 7am train (IT WAS COOOOOOLD!!) for
our long trip back to Novosibirsk. The train ride was
wondrous.
It is all part of my dedication to UMOJA (means
"unity" in Swahili) MUSICA, an organization I
began with like-minded friends to continue our
commitment to take the music around the world
with the message of peace, nonviolence, and
tolerance -- and have some fun in the process!
Find about UMOJA GAELICA HERE.
Thank you Edward for being such a kind host and
wonderful champion for unity and a new friend. Thank
you for exposing us to a culture we only knew from
books (we even went to the ballet to see "Spartacus"
at the Grand Opera house in Novosibirsk).
And to the warm and friendly people of Siberia...we
thank you. I will be back (maybe during your summer
when it isn't -25. :)) Or maybe, just for your
chocolate and tea :)
| Organizer Edward Shornik of Novosibirsk, Siberia and me meeting at Union Station in Washington, DC |
| Me at The Kremlin in front of Lenin's tomb |
| Lea and Eric at Beerman in the VIP Room |
| Amazing pianist Roman Stoylar |
| Opera House in Novosibirsk where we went to see the ballet "Spartacus" |
| Frozen Siberian Tundra from the train |
| Novosibirsk at Christmas |