Seen at Jazzahead in Bremen

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Seen Tuija Komi at the Finnish stand,

with Maati Rehor, Managing Director of the Finnish Jazz Federation.

On May Day’s Eve we’ll celebrate the second annual 
International Jazz Day. 

Jazz has been a force for positive social transformation throughout its history, 

and it remains so today. This is why UNESCO created International Jazz Day. 

From its roots in slavery, this music has raised 
a passionate voice against all forms of oppression. 

It speaks a language of freedom that is meaningful to all cultures, 

from North to South, and East to West. 

The same goals guide UNESCO in its efforts to build 

bridges of dialogue and understanding between all cultures and societies.

Finnish Jazz Federation wishes a very soulful Jazz Day to everyone!

http://www.jazzliitto.fi/?lang=en

Coming out strong!

Tuija's label people from Munich.

http://www.glm.de

OMG those funny Canadians going around in the Messehalle!

And in the evening they were performing in the Schlachthof.

http://www.shuffledemons.com

Really?

Serious discussions.

Sorry but it kind of disturbed, the hair on her false lashes!

Swedish trio Naoko Sakata.

KOKKO Quartett from Finland.

Three Kuopio people with a Helsinki born saxofon player.

http://www.kokkoquartet.com/about/

Based in the Netherlands: ARIFA!

http://www.arifamusic.com

Then there was this British lady painting jazz!

Gina Southgate, painter of live music, as her flyer says.

This was quite a cute version of a double bass.

Gina was getting there, I just did not take a pic anymore.

http://artistginasouthgate.weebly.com/index.html

The trend: pianists playing the whole instrument. 

Colin Vallon of ELINA DUNI Quartett.

Can be seen in the Swedish Ystad Jazz Festival 1-4. August 2013.

http://www.ystadjazz.se

The trend, too: singers getting attention with their funky shoes.

Pretty cute, indeed.

Colourious.

Messehalle Bremen.

Networking with drinks.

Another amazing concert:

Swedish pianist Jacob Karlzon in duo with Victoria Tolstoy.

It all happened on the stage of the Bremen Musical Theatre.

Jacob Karlzon trio, with Robert Mehmet Ikiz (dr) and Hans Andersson (bass).

Midnite violin highlite:

Tobias Preisig - in transit

http://www.tobiaspreisig.com/2013/news

Such a cool weekend with hours of live jazz.

Kevätiloa

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Sorry folks, but again some boring garden pics.

These tulips made me very happy.

Am normally an unsuccefull tulip grower.

Even these little fellas came out nicely.

Am especially proud of the apple tree blossoms.

Spring sun is limited.

View in Bremen ... more pics to follow of

JAZZAHEAD soon.

Loxi and Oxi

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Jewel in Chelsea! 

Paradise for city gardeners.

Best decorations seen at the pubs.

Everlasting Xmas deco.

Seen inbetween Archway and Highgate.

Even in UK this spring has been chilly.

Now everything starts to blossom, bloom and boom.

Getting there.

We did this guided walking tour in Highgate.

Checking houses of famous people.

Like ... Housman ... well, have to google, indeed.

Rather cool gardening solutions. Very inspiring indeed.

Inbetween modern architecture,

kind of Finnish look with those birch trees.

We are waking up, aren't we.

Our room with a view. In Kensington.

Off to Oxu!

How sweet is this then!

High Street in Oxford has kind of everything,

from ancient buildings to street musicians, lot of shopping possibilities.

Above all, Oxford is a city of universities, and also of libraries.

These collage court yards look like cloisters, very plain, strict, controlled.

http://www.ox.ac.uk/about_the_university/facts_and_figures/index.html

Luckyly enough this fomerly known as poor people's collage

Keble allows the students to play on the lawn.

"Keble has moved a long way since those early days. 

Although the College has produced many notable Anglican leaders, 

it is no longer formally tied to the Church of England. 

No longer are the Fellows beholden to an external Council of ecclesiastical worthies; 

no longer is the Warden required to be in holy orders. "

Read more: http://www.keble.ox.ac.uk/about/past

Was lucky to be able to visit Laura and Dr MK in Headington,

where Brookes university is set up just aside of Oxford city.

Such a cute village!

http://www.social-sciences.brookes.ac.uk/staff/prof.asp?ID=366

Time for touristy action: THE LONDON EYE.

Very fascinating structure, indeed.

Absolutely fascinating views over London indeed.

Isn't this worth experiencing? Yes it is, isn't it.

This brilliant day was celebrated by traditional afternoon tea

on the terrace of Queen Anne's Orangery next to Kensington Palace.

"Queen Anne (1665-1714)

Famous for being first sovereign of Great Britain

Anne’s greatest achievement was the Act of Union in 1707, 

which saw England and Scotland join to create a single kingdom. 

Anne spent more time at Kensington Palace during the middle of her reign, 

perhaps hoping the fresh air in this semi-rural area would improve her husband‘s asthma." 

http://www.hrp.org.uk/learninganddiscovery/Discoverthehistoricroyalpalaces/monarchs/queenanne

Such a tragic life:

She had been pregnant at least seventeen times over as many years, 

and had miscarried or given birth to stillborn children at least twelve times. 

Of her five liveborn children, four died before reaching the age of two. (Wikipedia)

In Hyde Park camellias were reigning! How pretty indeed!

OMG: Hyde Park has its own facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/HydeParkUK

Last look at the backside of our hotel.

Rather charming.

"Mews is a primarily British term formerly describing a row of stables, 

usually with carriage houses below and living quarters above, 

built around a paved yard or court, or along a street, behind large city houses, 

such as those of London, during the 17th and 18th centuries. 

The word may also refer to the lane, alley or back street onto which such stables open. 

It is sometimes applied to rows or groups of garages or,

 more broadly, to a narrow passage or a confined place. 

Today most mews stables have been converted into dwellings, 

some greatly modernised and considered highly desirable residences." (Wikipedia)

Good old London, we'll be back!