Seize the moment take a picture

I know I am not the only person trying hard to get the photo I want. This is good evidence to the length tourists go. The number of cameras in Grand Place in Brussels often equals the number of people. On some occasions, if a particularly numerous Asian tourist group is there, it can easily exceed that parity. Some of those guys and girls carry two still cameras and a video camera. Poeple and this frantic desire to hold on to image. Camera phones, digital and film cameras, old almost vintage gems, brand new DSLRs on Auto mode and with pop up flash in the middle of the night for a "scenic" picture. And then this guy here struggling with the diminutive tripod and the tiny camera. I do not have it here but his rendition of the Brussels landmark Hotel de Ville was impressive for a PS. There you go: people make photographs not cameras. As I just ordered the new Nikon D200 I should know!

Roma Flower Qeens

Late night in Brussels. These lovely ladies are flower sellers. I cannot be certain since I had not talked with them but something is telling me they are the same that do this for dosens of years in Bucharest. I like the connection. What best buy but a rose in the middle of the night. I used to do that often in B. My favourite spot was the non-stop flower market in Piata Amzei. I remember the feeling. Half past eleven, taxi stops and waits, I step out and then peruse row after row of beautiful flowers. Roses from Peru and tulips and chrysanthemum from Holland. You had to listen to all the sellers trying very hard to grab your attention - the only real equivalent of a souk I found in Romania where, despite the oriental influence in food and else, the markets tend to be a reserved and uninteresting experience. Then I always had to convince the sellers that indeed I want no "fashionable" sparkly wrapping and paper will do. Usually it was a bunch of roses - red most often, or white, sometimes yellow if the mood or the person was right - once in a while margaritas or lilies. That was late night in Bucharest.

Oriental attitude

Oriental attitude. Late night, never ending debates in Brussels. But then again this city is developing today around institutions of never ending debate. So why would we humble civil servants in the European machine be different. We like our wine and we never stop talking. Add an interesting scene, a smoke filed hookah bar's basement and oriental music and you have an excellent Brussels soirée. I always wanted to be a bit of a pasha.

In fact the place is a bit of a cheep dive but their falafel, hummus and labneh are all excellent. And the basement room provides a bit of a protection from the ordinary mix of Grand Place tourists, Lebanese crowd and Brussels connoisseurs that have long discovered this exception to the crappy food normally on offer at each corner middle eastern pita restaurant.

Photography

Every two month, Brussels based Young Gallery is giving us pure photographic pleasures. Now in brand new location in the courtyard at the fancy shmancy Conrad Hotel the gallery is a constant returning point in my exploration of Brussels. Whether medium format urban or landscape photography, portrait or nude, it matters little the place is dedicated to living classics so there is little room for error. What I appreciate is the choice of images. As most are reputed photographers with hundreds of published works this is no easy job to keep the balance between the known and expected works and surprising new looks over coveted subjects or artists. This particularly applies to the older Bruno Bissang exhibition or the just closing Demarchelier one. The next exhibition opening this December is dedicated to Marilyn Monroe.

American girl's Brussels Brunch

 

Thelonious Monk

Now this is an image I particularly enjoy. The wacky Jazz player form NY and the American girl in the background mach. And as this is taken in place Boniface in Brussels it gains a bit of profunditas as we seam to drift further apart by the day. If only it would be as simple and uncomplicated as listening to good jazz and enjoying a good Italian coffee. 

Parliament Jazz

It took a couple of young musicians from Timisoara, Romania, just a few minutes of playing and they got the attention of the crowd. And this I am sorry to say is not an easy crowd to please. A self absorbed and important public used to skims events superficially was equally captured by the beauty of the voice and the girl and even asked for more once the duo stopped playing.

Anyhow I for one was totally enthralled to hear them play as they were good and consistent. They played a bit of bebop, a bit of Latin and Brazilian jazz, and even some Romanian pieces. The guitar player, an engineer turned to music was technically very good and also had a good mood control. He never overdid anything, constantly delivering a subtle and powerful stream of music managing without effort to avoid being overwhelmed by the glorious voice of its partner. A good match and excellent cooperation they were a revelation. The girl, what can I say, a bit of a bombshell in the Mediterranean way and a voice from the gods. Mellow and warm totally enveloping, perfect for jazz and surprisingly good control.

This was a two set jazz event on consecutive days in the European Parliament and provided for everybody involved organisers and participants alike a rather nice surprise. I wish there were more of this kind.

As for the two musicians let me just say that they will be back to Brussels.

Jazz in the Parliament

 

Jazz in The European Parliament

The color of Jazz always starts black and white. It needs just a little time and then it gets to you. The colors start flying and the smiles flashing. Well good champagne always helps. Even the stagiaires in the Parliament are not immune. To either champagne or music I might add.

Jazzing up the political mood

For a change a great voice and an excelent performance delivered for an audience that was not expecting such a show.