A wild and crazy time...

There is a GREAT deal to say about cultural impressions, the initial clash of East vs. West attitudes and the universal language of music... but that will have to wait for a lull in the action.  Last night we played the Club Pasazade in the historic section of the Old City - a very wild event for this tourist area.  We drew quite a street crowd for both our wildass songs - I do a smokin' version of "Stormy Monday" (with a LOT of help from this great band) and Bennie is the new incarnation of Stevie Wonder and Bob Marley on "Superstition" and "I Shot the Sheriff" - as well as our standard jazz tunes like "Take 5" or "Tenor Madness." A few young Turks joined us, too:  Omer on "Lullaby of Birdland" and Nadia on "Summertime." Her harmony with Dianne brought the house down.  As Bennie said so well: "It was nice to be appreciated for playing good music."  He was right and it was a sweet, sweet night in the old city. 

Today we wandered around the Spice Market, visited another mosque and then got ready for our gig at LiveGitarCafe - but it was canceled (due to poor local publicity.)  So we quicklly Skyped and emailed our local friends and set up a house party jam that was even BETTER.  We had young Istanbul students singing and playing with us - plus our buddy Omer who did a killer version of "God Bless the Child" and "Night in Tunisia" - plus a ton of fun improvising with some Creedence songs, a little John Lee Hooker and a ton o Thelonius Monk.  Afterwards - at 10:30 pm - we headed out for dinner - and the street action was just beginning to come alive.  (Brings to mind an old Edgar Winter song about "they only come out at night," yes?)  We ate dinner and drank Turkish wine before wandering home happy and blessed.

Tomorrow we leave at 10 am for the historic city of Isnik - Nicea for old church history buffs - and another night of jazz and new friends.  I look forward to sharing more than a quick traveloge soon... but the fun keeps flowing so that's it for now.