Postcards from Oaxaca, Mexico: Musical sounds all around

Music is everywhere in Oaxaca. Street performers park on the sidewalk, and wandering soloists and groups play for tips in the Zocalo. (If only they were forbidden from playing “My Way” ever again, particularly on the marimba….)

Dancers and brass bands booked for wedding celebrations are the norm every Saturday in front of Templo Santo Domingo and parading through the streets. Traditional jarocho bands perform regularly at Venadito Espacio Cultural.

An unusal addition to the sounds surrounding us this year was a musician who would show up most days at our extended breakfast time to practice classical pieces on the piano adjacent to our living area.

That, and the opportunity to hear a concert featuring Paul Cohen’s jazz group with an appearance by Lila Downs.

Leaving you with some snippets from celebrations in front of Santo Domingo.

Postcard from Ferrara, Italy: Ancient tower rehabbed as intimate jazz venue

The Torrione San Giovanni once was part of the system of protective walls encircling Ferrara. The 500-year-old brick tower was rejuvenated in 1999 as a club for jazz. The nonprofit Jazz Club of Ferrara now presents a season of 50 concerts in the circular venue from October through April.

We were fortunate to catch the Marco Colonna Trio there, with Colonna on tenor sax and clarinet, Fabio Sartori on organ and piano and Claudio Stroli on drums.