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Going to Cuba again next week to fix instruments

Discussion in 'Off Topic [BG]' started by Bjazzman, Apr 17, 2012.

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  1. Apr 17, 2012 #1
    Bjazzman

    Bjazzman

    Dec 7, 2004
    Madison WI
    Hey all,

    Last September, a friend from band repair school invited me to go to Havana with some other techs including David Gage, and some members of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra to repair instruments as the musicians taught american jazz in the school.

    We repaired at a music and arts school and it was life changing. The students barely had 1 instrument and most of them we're in dire need of repair. But you should hear these kids Play! After i repaired their sax, flute or clarinet, they gave me a big hug. I feel like education is taken for granted here in the states.

    this next trip will just be for the techs. we will be setting up a repair shop in a building grated by the government to set up jobs there. we will teach what we can in the amount of time we are there.

    it's sad that most people make $20/month there. and even a doctor makes $30/month. they exchange doctors for gasoline from Venezuela!

    but all in all, i think even though they have it rough by our standards, their spirits are still high and they have a great attitude on life

    excited to be going back. wish i could bring some cheese curds from here in WI for them
     
  2. Apr 17, 2012 #2
    jerry

    jerry Too old for a hiptrip Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 13, 1999
    Very cool!!!
     
  3. Apr 17, 2012 #3
    bass12

    bass12 Have You Met Grace Jones?

    Jun 8, 2008
    Montreal, Canada
    Hey, that's great. Look, I've always donated old bass strings to folks going to Cuba to give to local musicians. I've got a bunch here with no one to give them to. If you can get me the appropriate address I'd be happy to send them out.
     
  4. Apr 18, 2012 #4
    jerry

    jerry Too old for a hiptrip Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 13, 1999
    Great idea, I might have a couple of new sets of strings I no longer dig that I could donate, cables too, PM me a good reputable address and I'll send some goodies. 60 Minutes did a segment on musicians in Congo a few weeks back that blew me away, it's amazing how much some people can do with so little.
     
  5. Apr 18, 2012 #5
    Bjazzman

    Bjazzman

    Dec 7, 2004
    Madison WI
    you guys are very nice. however, we had to weigh our luggage this time and send photographs of everything we're sending down. Last time, we got there on sunday and our supplies we're sitting in customs for 3 days after we got there. We ended up paying a lawyer $15k to get it out of there. We ended up doing some serious macguyvering to those instruments at that time

    since our visas are up in october, i think we'll be going again and i'll let you know.
     
  6. Apr 18, 2012 #6
    MJ5150

    MJ5150 Moderator Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Apr 12, 2001
    Olympia, WA
    I thought it was illegal for USA citizens to travel to Cuba?

    -Mike
     
  7. Apr 18, 2012 #7
    jugglingfreak

    jugglingfreak

    Aug 12, 2009
    Savannah Ga.
    Only in some circumstances. It's legal for Humanitarian, religious, educational purposes, etc.

    Cuba

    There's the government page for what you can/can't travel for.
     
  8. Apr 18, 2012 #8
    Bjazzman

    Bjazzman

    Dec 7, 2004
    Madison WI
    Yeah we have humanitarian visas
     
  9. Apr 18, 2012 #9
    MakiSupaStar

    MakiSupaStar The Lowdown Diggler

    Apr 12, 2006
    Huntington Beach, CA
    Awesome. No matter the composition of the government, people love, and love to learn everywhere. This is especially true when it comes to music. My students try to hug me everyday. I pretend to be a germphobe. In this country I can't hug my students. :atoz:
     
  10. Apr 18, 2012 #10
    bass12

    bass12 Have You Met Grace Jones?

    Jun 8, 2008
    Montreal, Canada
    Wow, what a nightmare. Well, let me know if ever a viable option comes to light. Kudos to you for what you're doing!
     
  11. Apr 18, 2012 #11
    bmc

    bmc

    Nov 15, 2003
    Switzerland
    Such a dumb dated policy. :rollno:

    Cuba has such rich musical culture and history. Music just oozes from there.
     
  12. Apr 18, 2012 #12
    Bjazzman

    Bjazzman

    Dec 7, 2004
    Madison WI
    It's true. Music is everywhere down there. Everyone plays something and most people play baseball as well. If these kids found their way to the states, they would raise the bar for live music
     
  13. Apr 18, 2012 #13
    MakiSupaStar

    MakiSupaStar The Lowdown Diggler

    Apr 12, 2006
    Huntington Beach, CA
    I'm sure everyone here has seen Buena Vista Social Club? That is a great intro music/culture in Cuba.
     
  14. Apr 18, 2012 #14
    odin70

    odin70

    Dec 26, 2007
    Guess who dictates that policy? Right answer is: The exile Cubans in Florida.
     
  15. Apr 18, 2012 #15
    EBodious

    EBodious

    Aug 2, 2006
    Iowa
    my understanding is that european and canadian tourists benefit greatly from that policy!


    OP: i think what you are doing is great. i wish i had the skills/funds to join you. good luck!
     
  16. Apr 18, 2012 #16
    michael_atw

    michael_atw

    Feb 28, 2009
    Jamestown, NY
    Yeah, all 500k of 'em are ruling the whole country's policies.
     
  17. Apr 18, 2012 #17
    mrpackerguy

    mrpackerguy Supporting Member

    Jul 3, 2004
    Madison, Wisconsin
    Godspeed
     
  18. Apr 18, 2012 #18
    odin70

    odin70

    Dec 26, 2007
    In fact yes. Without them a candidate will not win Florida and without Florida no USA.

    Cuban Exiles
     
  19. Apr 18, 2012 #19
    jerry

    jerry Too old for a hiptrip Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 13, 1999
    Our hypocrisy when it comes to Communism is mind-blowing to me.
     
  20. Apr 18, 2012 #20
    MJ5150

    MJ5150 Moderator Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Apr 12, 2001
    Olympia, WA
    Now, now fellas. This is a good intentioned thread. No need to spin off into political commentary and get it closed.

    -Mike
     
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