Author Archives: dannyashkenasi

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About dannyashkenasi

I'm a composer with over 40 years experience creating music theater. I'm also an actor, writer, director, producer, teacher and general enthusiast for the arts.

BRAZIL – Pernambuco Memories

Posted on October 17, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

  Brazil – Cornelius   Why have Ed and I traveled twice to Brazil, exploring different parts of the country for the whole month of August in 2012 and 2016?  We do love to travel and explore the world when … Continue reading →

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BLUMENAU – OKTOBERFEST IN BRAZIL

Posted on October 12, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Brazil – Desi Arnaz The classic tune “Brazil”, performed in a classic style by Desi Arnaz and his Orchestra (yes, the Desi from “I Love Lucy”, he led a Band Orchestra in real life too, not just on TV).  Now … Continue reading →

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BRAZIL – Amazon Animal Adventures

Posted on October 5, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Very Close Encounters with Caiman, Tarantula, Pink Dolphins & more in the Amazon! Brazil – Rosemary Clooney and John Pizzarelli Brazil – Rosemary Clooney and Bing Crosby (Yes, it’s a “Brazil” song double feature today, because it’s Rosemary Clooney, and … Continue reading →

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BRAZIL – SÃO PAULO a/k/a SAMPA

Posted on September 30, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

BRAZIL – Lee Press-On and the Nails (I enjoy this take on the song Brazil, but what I really love is the name of the artists:  Lee Press-On and the Nails… hilarious!) Today let’s take a panoramic visual and musical … Continue reading →

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BRAZIL – The Beauty of Olinda – The Light of Tieta

Posted on September 25, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Brazil – Spirit of Brazil Olinda is a beautiful historic town, one of the oldest in Brazil, founded 1535 in the state of Pernambuco.  The large metropolitan capitol city of Recife looms just south, contrasting modern high rises at the … Continue reading →

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BRAZIL – Salvador High and Low

Posted on September 19, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Brazil – The Coasters Brazil’s city of contrasts – topographically, historically, religiously… Salvador, in the state of Bahia, is a Brazilian city full of highs and lows.  Quite literally, at first blush, due to its topography.  The historic center sits … Continue reading →

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BRAZIL – LENÇÓIS FLYOVER

Posted on September 13, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Brazil – Les Paul and Mary Ford In my previous Brazil post I introduced you to the Lençóis region – the “Bedsheets” of Brazil, including two unique approaches / views of this one-of-a-kind landscape. Today we will explore the Lençóis … Continue reading →

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September 11, 2016

Posted on September 11, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

For this day: HOPE from the oratorio The Song of Job 9:11   For the full concert, go to the  Song of Job page.   Also: THE SONG OF JOB 9:11 – 14 year anniversary of 9/11/2001 Posted on September 8, … Continue reading →

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LENÇÓIS – The Bedsheets of Brazil

Posted on September 6, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Brazil – Xavier Cugat and his Orchestra Around ten years ago Ed and I saw an extraordinary Brazilian movie called “The House of Sand”.  It is set in a landscape of endless, blindingly white sand dunes.  So unusual and otherworldly … Continue reading →

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BRAZIL – Upstream into the Pantanal Waterworld

Posted on August 30, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Watery Vistas with Sky Filling Flocks of Herons; Jacaré Alligators, Howler Monkeys, Toucans (well, One Toucan), and the wonderfully weird and brilliantly named Tuiuiu! Brazil – Django Reinhardt Our second Pantanal excursion.  You can explore the Pantanal by car in … Continue reading →

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BRAZIL – The Black & Brown Waters of the Amazon UPDATED, NEW & IMPROVED

Posted on August 25, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Well, no, the waters themselves are pretty much as they were, but my blog post about them has been updated, with all new and improved pictures and information about the truly spectacular Meeting of the Waters in the Amazon river … Continue reading →

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BRAZIL – Wildlife Encounters Driving into the Pantanal

Posted on August 22, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Vast watery landscapes, birds birds birds, and really close encounters with the largest and cuddliest monster rodents you can imagine as well as the jacaré, Brazil’s alligators! Brazil (Sam Lowry’s First Dream) – Michael Kamen / Kate Bush Two weeks … Continue reading →

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BRAZIL – The Caves of PETAR

Posted on August 15, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Brazil – Geoff Muldaur The pictures of Brazil I have posted so far have been from our trip four years ago.  Today for the first time I post pictures from our current trip.  Our first stop in Brazil after touching … Continue reading →

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BRAZIL – Rio Religioso

Posted on August 11, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Brazil – Ritchie Family Welcome back to Rio de Janeiro, currently in the midst of hosting the Olympic Games.  Ed and I are currently in other parts of Brazil, but four years ago we were all over Rio.  I already … Continue reading →

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BRAZIL- RIO DE JANEIRO – Ipanema, Copacabana and the Sugarloaf

Posted on August 8, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Brazil – Frank Sinatra Ed and I are in Brazil this August, but we are not going to Rio de Janeiro.  Not this year.  Not going to compete with the Olympics.  But four years ago, we spent 6 fabulous days … Continue reading →

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BRAZIL – Floating Forests, Piranhas, and Sunsets of the Amazon

Posted on August 5, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Above, the Jungle Lodge, where we stayed for a weekend Amazon Adventure on the Urubu River BRAZIL (Bachianos Brazil Samba) – Michael Kamen Below views of the Urubu River from the Lodge tower. The Urubu river gets its name from … Continue reading →

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