On the Universality of Jazz

July 22, 1989: Joonas Pärn was born. He plays the oud. Not just any oud; a jazz oud. He's part of the group seen in this video. There is precious little information about Joonas on the Internet. It appears he's a PhD student in Tallinn, Estonia, but that could be a different Joonas Pärn.

If he really is from Tallinn, I am somewhat jealous because it's a beautiful city on the Baltic. It boasts a very good modern art museum, a museum devoted to steampunk, and a vibrant music scene. Some Estonians align themselves with Vladimir Putin and think their country should become part of Russia, but most are quite happy to be independent. When we visited the presidential residence (it isn't ostentatious enough to be called a palace), the guards at the main entrance were sleeping.

Near the gates to the old city, there was an art installation featuring sledge hammers. I don't know why.

 We got free vodka shots at lunch in a basement restaurant there. Makes for a pleasant afternoon!