Youtube: Real Ambassadors Rainmakers

YOUTUBE OF REAL AMBASSADORS "TRICKLE TRICKLE" UNDER THE TOWER BRIDGE, LONDON.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHvbi6CxIOU&feature=youtu.be

From London With Love

From London With Love!

To all our followers….sorry for the delays with our blogposts. Internet service was problematic in our hotel, and slow in many of the cafes and coffee shops where we stopped for Wi-Fi. Hopefully you’ve had a chance to see all the posts, and NBC/WVIT-Channel 30’s short piece about the kids that aired this past week.

You can catch it at:

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/video/#!/on-air/as-seen-on/Connecticut-Jazz-in-London/164509846

Thank you all for your support and readership,

Ed Wierzbicki

Trip Journalist

DAY 7: London Performances Continue!

Rising at 6:30am, the Real Ambassadors and the entire GHAA team had a quick breakfast before boarding the Clark’s “coach” for the Olympic Park. Today, the group will perform for a second time, but they’ve been asked to bring their act to a very busy crowd area in the Olympic Park where some select dignitaries will be making a walk-through at the appointed 11:30 performance time. So right on schedule, with the sun shining and a cool breeze blowing, the performance kicked off near the Panasonic Building. Using acoustic instrument arrangements, and just a handful of microphones and small amps, the group rocked the streets and worked the crowd—making hundreds of onlookers smile, clap, and sing along. The RA were enthusiastically applauded after every number!

With a tight departure schedule, the group then gathered instruments, costumes, and lunch-to-go for another “coach” ride across town to the London Eye and a 4:00pm performance under that amazing, enormous ferris wheel that straddles the Thames River. Of course, all the Ambassadors took a ride first, and then gathered on the courtyard to perform for onlookers from the Eye, the adjoining park, and tourists packed into the Southbank area.

What a rock out performance!! Dressed casually and flashing red, white, and blue leis, the Real Ambassadors performed a fantastic set directly to the street side audience, dancing with them, playing to children in the crowd, and bringing the kids on stage for a big finale. Later, the students interacted with audiences members who had lots of questions about the group and their trip.

The day in London ended with a trip to Covent Garden for dinner, a few extra gifts at the many stalls and shops, or some Godiva chocolates or ice cream cones for dessert!!

Back at the hotel lobby, the students gathered the faculty/staff and parents, and thanked them for their efforts during the trip—handing each teacher a signed London poster, 2012. Tonight is the groups last night in the UK. Tomorrow its off to Windsor Castle, lunch, and Heathrow for the return flight to JFK.

Cheers!

By Ed Wierzbicki

Trip Journalist

DAY 6: The West End, Piccadilly Circus, and Monty Python’s Spamalot.

 

Our morning wake up call came later than usual, and after breakfast we boarded the Clark’s Tour Bus at 9:30 for a day trip to London’s West End. On our trek into the city, Tim pointed out numerous sites and historic anecdotes from our bus, including: the unmarked buildings of the British Secret Service, the brick and barbed wire fence surrounding the backyard of the Royal Palace, Big Ben and British Parliament, Fortnum and Mason, the Queen's grocery store—and many other historic points of interest.

We arrived in Piccadilly Circus with time to spare before lunch—and a chance to find a few souvenirs or grab another cup of coffee. We then gathered at Leicester Arms for a burger and chips. Students, parents, and faculty then broke up into smaller groups that included shopping, the National Museum, and the musical Spamalot. Diane had a chance to meet with a producer from the Young Vic Theatre to discuss Dave Brubeck’s The Real Ambassadors as a potential London project in the not too distant future.

After a wonderful afternoon with sunny and warm weather, we gathered at  6:00pm at the discount ticket booth, before heading off to Covent Garden to take in the sites, street performers, and shops—followed by a Pizza dinner.

When our bus finally arrived, its rear window was shattered—details still sketchy--and we had to wait for a brand new bus…sitting outside the Drury Lane Theatre where the musical Shrek was playing.

Curfew tonight is 11:00pm, with a 6:30 wake up call before the group’s second trip to the Olympic Park and another performance, this time for VIP's!


By Ed Wierzbicki
Trip Journalist

Youtube: "Real Ambassadors Rainmakers"

CHECK OUT:
REAL AMBASSADORS RAINMAKERS performing under London's Tower Bridge!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHvbi6CxIOU

Real Ambassadors London Photos!!!

DAY 5: Ambassadors Bring Jazz to the Olympic Bandstand!

The rain stayed away, at least long enough for the Real Ambassadors to take stage on the Main Bandstand at the Olympic Park. Wearing bright colors and filled with enthusiasm and love, they rocked the park with a fabulous set that received a wonderful, heartfelt ovation!

Following their uplifting performance, The Real Ambassadors were invited by the Olympic producers to do a second show this Thursday morning at 11:00am!!

More to follow about the big day soon!

Go to WVIT/NBC 30's website for a story on their Olympic appearance!!

The Real Ambassadors will also perform on the Southbank at the London Eye Thursday at 3:00pm.

By Ed Wierzbicki

Trip Journalist