Jazz for aficionados
Rok and Frogman, I'm sure you're both wrong about Cuba, it's not a third world country. While economically it looks like a third world country, the fact that it has an educational foundation plus unified people who have been around the block will make all the difference in the world going forward. Enjoy the music. |
****I'm sure you're both wrong about Cuba***** Once I thought I was wrong, turned out I was not, so that is the only time I have been wrong. You don't get to be one of the world's foremost authorities, by being wrong on anything. ****While economically it looks like a third world country, the fact that it has an educational foundation plus unified people who have been around the block will make all the difference in the world going forward.**** I am not sure there are any more third world countries. Once we had first world Countires,(The West), and second world countries(communist Bloc) and then the un-aligned countries(third World). In any event you are correct about the Cuban education system. They even export Medical Doctors and other science teachers to the rest of Central and South America. Having said that, when the Yanqui Dollar shows up, and travel restrictions are eased, those poor people will not stand a chance. After a while, all those doctors will be practicing in large American cities. The "Brain Drain" will also impact the people. I don't think, THAT, Eddie Fisher ever made it to East ST. Louis. :) Cheers |
This is an interesting subject, but easy to lose focus and not start discussing apples and oranges; at least as I interpret the comments, so please correct me if I'm wrong in my interpretations. I thought that the original comments about Cuba's future had to do with the future of its music and the impact of Americanization on the music. I think there is little doubt that once there is real freedom in Cuba, not the kind of government controlled "freedom" that Communist countries like China flirt with, that we will see a real economic explosion in Cuba. What exists now, and what we will probably continue to see in the foreseeable future, is the kind of government control over every experiment in capitalism (freedom) that allows very little actual trickle down benefit to the masses while the corrupt government elite continue to take the lion's share of the influx of American $'s. Factoid: cost to an expat of renewing a Cuban passport $475 (!!!) (with additional "fees" every couple of years). Says it all in my opinion. But, I digress; back to the music. I think the point being made re the future of the music was that once there is true free exchange between Cuba and the U.S. (a mere 90 miles away) most of what we will see as Cuban culture and music will be indistinguishable from what exists in Miami now. |
The great (and underrated) Tom Harrell from one of my favorite jazz records: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PEzEgoReQgY https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CkYKIUskzdI Most gorgeous flugelhorn sound ever: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AIE7smg8JHw |
Frogman, I was unaware of government corruption in Cuba. I don't believe the kind of control the government exerts over the Chinese would be tolerated by the Cuban People; there is a limit, and if a united people say "NO", that's the limit. The government in China uses the military and the police to enforce their law. I'm not sure the police and military in Cuba would enforce unjust law. Another question is how does stuff that exploits the people become law? Cuban music will compete with what exists in Miami now, and Cuban Music will win. In regard to who is right, and who is wrong, only time will tell. |
