I wrote an email to New Yorker Benjamin Verdery. To check out how he is doing in these horrible Corona Times.
” Aloha Ester and Otto!!!!
… These are simply unprecedented times. I have not been out for 5 days and will finally today. We are being very vigilant and wearing masks and gloves and wiping everything!! We both have been doing on line teaching and I have been chatting and writing to friends around the world like you guys.”
It can’t be underestimated that this is a kind of war. Amsterdam ave is the main street to a hospital so we hear sirens frequently which is a reminder of all those in pain.
Every evening at 7:00 we go out on our little balcony ( we are so lucky to have that) and cheer the health care workers, doctors, nurses and delivery people and all on the front line. It’s very moving.
Benjamin also told me about his latest CD, Scenes from Ellis Island which was released with New Focus Recordings on February 14. The pictures below show the front and back. The latter taken in the great hall on Ellis Island.
“I can guarantee that very few guitars have been played in that hall. It’s not of course a concert hall but the hall where so many were examined before being allowed to go to land. It’s maybe appropriate that it be Dutch guitar there as you were the first Europeans to come to this Island and come on, I live on Amsterdam ave!!!! So it was meant to be.”
“It will be some time before we are allowed to send things from the post so please find the booklet . At the back of it is the photo of me and your insanely great baritone! “
Scenes from Ellis Island can be found on
Spotify | Amazon | YouTube | Website Benjamin Verdery
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