Who needs Spanish when you've got a saxophone? A music-lover proves that disability access is just another improvisation in Havana's jazz scene.
Summary
Danny, of Health Hats, chronicles his week-long trip to Cuba in January for a music and cultural exchange. Using a wheelchair and playing the baritone saxophone, he traveled with a group of 11 from the United States, organized by Dan Fox and Arlington, MA's Morningside Studios.
The group participated in a "Band Camp" hosted by the Havana Music School, where they received daily individual lessons, rehearsed in ensembles, and performed Cuban music at a local restaurant. Despite Danny's initial anxieties about traveling with his disability and instrument, he found the Cubans to be accommodating and helpful.
The podcast features an interview with Claudia Fumero, manager of the Havana Music School, who discusses:
· The school's focus on teaching Cuban music to foreign visitors
· How the business began and evolved from connecting students with teachers in their homes to having a dedicated facility
· Her dream of expanding with more instruments and creating a small café where people can play music
The episode is interspersed with musical performances by the ensembles, including renditions of "Sofrito" and "Afro Blue" by Mongo Santamaria. The group also attended the Havana Jazz Festival each night during their stay.
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