Thanks so much-- really happy that you enjoyed the article. With everything happening in America right now, it's so hard to remember that American culture still has the capability of touching people all over the world. My wife and I saw Springsteen last night in Milan and he put it very well-- "America is a great country with a great people and we will survive this moment." New Orleans in particular is a survivor city-- and we have to hang onto that. Thanks again for reaching out!
Thanks so much for sharing-- your comments mean the world. I know so many of us feel a bit devastated at the moment-- I think we're all grasping for those bits of America that we love and remember to get us through. Was in Milano last night to see Springsteen and he moved a lot of people to tears with his rendition of "My City of Ruins". Sixty thousand people singing that chorus of "Rise up..." did my heart good.
Again, so appreciate your support. Enjoy your holiday!
I am in tears as I finish reading this piece, which I delayed reading until July 4, 2025. Thank you for so eloquently reminding me that beauty ad joy can be found even in the darkest of times.
We live in the US. We were just in N’awlins a year ago. It was wonderful, from the music to the food to the WWII museum and walks in the garden district.
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that this on this wretched day, you posted about this wonderful, splendid event in Ansona! Thank you!
Thanks so much for this wonderful article. It brought a bit of hope on this rather sad 4th of July. We must keep faith and remember that it is the hard working people that have always made this country great.
Beautiful piece. I particularly liked the acknowledgment of music coming from the fringes of society... Must also be interesting to be watching America from an International perspective.
So glad you liked the story. I agree--it's the millions of heroic stories of individual Americans, many of them immigrants, that make up what we all celebrate as America. That's where the country has to find its inspiration.
So glad you liked the story. Yes, thankfully the best parts of a culture-- music, art, literature-- sometimes have a more powerful and lasting effect on how a nation is perceived than any one particular political moment or episode of bad behavior. At least we'll hope so. Enjoy the holiday!
The festival is really fun. Very chill-- not crowded (except on weekends, but even then it's not a tourist thing) and completely free. No tickets, nothing. And the town is very pretty, obviously. Definitely worth a trip. Hope you're having a good holiday!
Thanks!! Was a fun trip. We have a friend who lives in Ascona and he had told me about the jazz festival, but then a good friend of mine from the music biz has gotten involved with Jazz Ascona and had several acts performing. So I finally made time to go up and check it out. It's a wonderful event-- not crowded, a beautiful location, and completely free. No tickets, nothing. Only in Switzerland :) Hope you guys are having a wonderful Fourth!
Thanks so much-- really appreciate the kind comments! It is interesting to stand a little outside of the country and see with those eyes-- I don't know if Americans realize the idealized, almost mythic way that a lot of Europeans see America. Which makes a lot of what's happening right now, especially the rupture with NATO, etc., really devastating to people. And while Americans can understand or at least comprehend some of the social tensions that have led to what's happening, a lot of Europeans, who see the US as almost absurdly prosperous and comfortable, are completely baffled as to where all this anger has come from.
Thanks for taking the time to comment-- very grateful for the support.
Thanks so much-- really happy that you enjoyed the article. With everything happening in America right now, it's so hard to remember that American culture still has the capability of touching people all over the world. My wife and I saw Springsteen last night in Milan and he put it very well-- "America is a great country with a great people and we will survive this moment." New Orleans in particular is a survivor city-- and we have to hang onto that. Thanks again for reaching out!
Thanks so much for sharing-- your comments mean the world. I know so many of us feel a bit devastated at the moment-- I think we're all grasping for those bits of America that we love and remember to get us through. Was in Milano last night to see Springsteen and he moved a lot of people to tears with his rendition of "My City of Ruins". Sixty thousand people singing that chorus of "Rise up..." did my heart good.
Again, so appreciate your support. Enjoy your holiday!
I am in tears as I finish reading this piece, which I delayed reading until July 4, 2025. Thank you for so eloquently reminding me that beauty ad joy can be found even in the darkest of times.
We live in the US. We were just in N’awlins a year ago. It was wonderful, from the music to the food to the WWII museum and walks in the garden district.
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that this on this wretched day, you posted about this wonderful, splendid event in Ansona! Thank you!
Thanks so much for this wonderful article. It brought a bit of hope on this rather sad 4th of July. We must keep faith and remember that it is the hard working people that have always made this country great.
This conflation is wonderful. Thanks for sharing a positive take on America. We can use that abroad right now.
Too bad for the lack of fried beignets
Beautiful piece. I particularly liked the acknowledgment of music coming from the fringes of society... Must also be interesting to be watching America from an International perspective.
This is a fascinating read! Thanks for bringing us along for your amazing adventures!
I always say about New Orleans, that I am homesick for a place I never lived. I have just put Jazz Ansona in my 2026 calendar!
So glad you liked the story. I agree--it's the millions of heroic stories of individual Americans, many of them immigrants, that make up what we all celebrate as America. That's where the country has to find its inspiration.
So glad you liked the story. Yes, thankfully the best parts of a culture-- music, art, literature-- sometimes have a more powerful and lasting effect on how a nation is perceived than any one particular political moment or episode of bad behavior. At least we'll hope so. Enjoy the holiday!
The festival is really fun. Very chill-- not crowded (except on weekends, but even then it's not a tourist thing) and completely free. No tickets, nothing. And the town is very pretty, obviously. Definitely worth a trip. Hope you're having a good holiday!
Thanks!! Was a fun trip. We have a friend who lives in Ascona and he had told me about the jazz festival, but then a good friend of mine from the music biz has gotten involved with Jazz Ascona and had several acts performing. So I finally made time to go up and check it out. It's a wonderful event-- not crowded, a beautiful location, and completely free. No tickets, nothing. Only in Switzerland :) Hope you guys are having a wonderful Fourth!
Thanks so much-- really appreciate the kind comments! It is interesting to stand a little outside of the country and see with those eyes-- I don't know if Americans realize the idealized, almost mythic way that a lot of Europeans see America. Which makes a lot of what's happening right now, especially the rupture with NATO, etc., really devastating to people. And while Americans can understand or at least comprehend some of the social tensions that have led to what's happening, a lot of Europeans, who see the US as almost absurdly prosperous and comfortable, are completely baffled as to where all this anger has come from.
Thanks for taking the time to comment-- very grateful for the support.
Agreed. But probably better for health reasons. I think I put on like 8 pounds in 3 days when I visited New Orleans :)