Hello again, this time from the Grand Canyon in Arizona. It’s 7,000 feet above sea level, and the temperature is heavenly in comparison to the brutal Phoenician summer. The air is thinner, but the quality is so much better. What a treat. And, the drive from low to high desert to the evergreens around Flagstaff is remarkable. I would recommend it to anyone.

I’m up here for a second season in a row playing at the Grand Canyon Music Festival. Founding Director Robert Bonfiglio and Artistic Director Clare Hoffman have nurtured this festival for 21 years. Sponsorship from the Grand Canyon National Park has played no small part. Concerts are held inside the park at the Shrine of the Ages, a beautiful multi-purpose spiritual area with high ceilings and an all-glass side looking out into the forest.

The rehearsal schedule is tight with barely enough time to actually enjoy what the Grand Canyon has to offer (hiking, rafting - next time). But, rarely have I seen something that defies description. The Canyon is on such a grand scale that it cannot be taken in at human proportions. It’s probably the closest we can get to Martian terrain on this planet. With just a little daydreaming I could imagine the geological magnitude of Mars. The Valles Marineris on Mars is a network of canyons that, at its deepest is four times the depth of the Grand Canyon and stretches from New York to Los Angeles. Now, that’s really big.

The geology of the Grand Canyon is one of our greatest resources in ascertaining the earth’s history. The layered rocks and fossils indicate climactic changes and evolutionary processes. The canyon was carved out when the Colorado Plateau crashed against the North American plate, causing the plateau to rise and creating the Rockies. The Colorado River and its tributaries then worked to deepen and carve out the Grand Canyon (a 5 million-year process).

The crowd at the Grand Canyon is sophisticated and cosmopolitan. The whole world comes to the Grand Canyon like the whole world goes to Vegas. During five minutes of walking around the park it is common to hear six or seven different languages. This cultural diversity is reflected in the audience composition. I am happy to perform for them, and many tourists take advantage of the opportunity to hear music in this lovely locale. There’s actually not much competition, especially since the Grand Canyon is not as awesome at night as it is during the day.

All in all these concerts are a lovely experience. It’s lots of fun playing sonatas long-time buddy Melvin Chen. There is something special about performing in a space of awesome beauty. And, even if you’re not performing, I would highly recommend a visit. It is a wonder not to be missed!

For more info please visit:
Grand Canyon Music Festival: www.grandcanyonmusicfest.org
Grand Canyon National Park Service: www.nps.gov/grca
American Park Network: www.americanparknetwork.com
Lodging (very comfy): www.grandcanyonlodges.com
Buddy Melvin Chen: www.melvinchen.com

Upcoming travels: Zimbabwe and South Africa