Today was a very light day. I slept late again and then ventured out to a Flea Market in Opa-Locka/Hialeah, which is about 20 minutes north of where I am staying. There weren't many people at the Flea Market, and many of the vendors were either selling junk or things I didn't need (clothing, shoes, perfume, toys). I was able to find a few CD stands, but the prices were very high and they didn't have many albums that I was interested in. It was very hot underneath the tent (it was an open-air but covered Flea Market). As I was walking towards my car, I noticed one more CD vendor that I had not noticed on my way in. I decided to take a quick look. I found a few CD's that I would have liked to purchase, but they were marked at $15, $17, etc. which is very high for CD's nowadays. I asked if he would haggle on the prices and the man simply said "no." So, I started walking away and told him that the prices were too high. As soon as I told this to him, he changed his "tune" and told me that he would negotiate. Thus, I was able to pick up a very nice CD with extensive liner notes of Bebo Valdés (a great Cuban Pianist) for $12 instead of the original $17 price. I only lasted about 30 minutes at the Flea Market. I left and decided to check out Coconut Grove, which is about 5 minutes south of where I am staying. This is a beautiful area of Miami, with magnificent homes and an outdoor shopping area called "CocoWalk." I walked around a little bit, and then decided to go back my hotel. Now, I am sitting in my hotel room trying to catch up on e-mails and plan the upcoming week. I am meeting with the Dean of the University of Miami's music school tomorrow morning. I want to say thank you for all of his help thus far as well as see what other Cuban musicians he can put me in contact with.
One other thing to mention is that I e-mailed Jorge Gomez, the pianist for the band
Tiempo Libre. For those of you who don't know, this band's first album was entitled
Bach in Havana and it consisted of some of Bach's music performed with Cuban rhythms and descargas (jams). The musicians on this album are incredible and were all trained at the Music Conservatories in Cuba. I asked Jorge if I could take a few piano lessons with him as well as interview him. He got back to me very quickly and told me that he would be in Miami starting this upcoming Friday. This will be very exciting! I'll blog about this when I have something more to tell.
I'll leave you with this picture of a Rainbow right after a sun-shower. I haven't seen one of these in years!!!
I like this a lot. I didn't know about Jorge Gomez, but will definately look up the music right away. THat is all so interesting.
ReplyDeleteLol I went to the flea market in Hialeah once (we call it PULGUERO) and yes.. it was very disappointing. I think you might want to check out a store called SENTIR CUBANO which is right on the corner of 8st and 31st ave. SW. they sell traditional looking things, and have music, instruments, and all sorts of things.. even collectible items. ITs a small store, don't think it's anything extraordinary, but I think you might find something interesting.