1607, 2011

New York City Harbor

The one-of-a-kind atmosphere of New York City is evident in the skyline of Lower Manhattan as seen from the mouth of the East River. Just as iconic as the skyscrapers are the spaces between them: the famous New York City grid layout provides clear lines of sight for miles down the long streets parallel to the Hudson River. A short ferry ride from Battery Park (visible at the beginning of this eScapes video) is the Statue of Liberty. The most enduring symbol of New York City, as well as the entire United States, the popularity of the statue is rivaled only by the iconic Empire State Building, which was the tallest building in the world from

1207, 2011

London (Palace and Cathedral)

World Cities & Harbors
552

London is an undisputed global city. Its historical significance and broad influence might only be challenged by Rome, and its importance in modern times only rivaled by New York. This eScapes video features London’s most famous landmark– the Palace of Westminster and the iconic “Big Ben” clock tower. Although the Palace in its current form was only constructed in the mid-1800s, its site on the Thames River has been home to the seat of English power since the eleventh century. Also seen is St. Paul’s Cathedral, a 17th-century architectural accomplishment that helped inspire the style of the United States Capitol building. Bob Mamet is an internationally-acclaimed jazz pianist and composer. Incorporating vibrant and diverse styles into

0807, 2011

Detroit, Michigan (Sunset from Belle Isle)

The skyline of Detroit, Michigan is dominated by the distinctive Renaissance Center. Best known as the world headquarters of General Motors, the seven-skyscraper complex includes the Detroit Marriott, the tallest all-hotel tower outside of Asia and the tallest building in the state of Michigan. Across the Detroit River lies Windsor, Ontario. The Ambassador Bridge to Canada, another distinctive part of the Detroit skyline, has connected the two cities since 1929. More than 25 percent of all trade between the United States and Canada crosses this bridge. Herbie Russ is a Michigan native and an accomplished saxophonist, keyboardist, vocalist, producer, and songwriter. His melodic style combines smooth jazz, urban contemporary, and pop music, and his performances can

0407, 2011

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

For Independence Day, eScapes brings you a look at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, site of the Second Continental Congress that approved the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Philadelphia is a city that has historically guided the United States towards progress. Outside of politics, the city has been a leader in industry, commerce, and, notably, tolerance. Named from the Greek for “brotherly love,” Philadelphia was early in its history a safe haven from religious persecution and later held a large African-American population during the times of slavery. Bob Baldwin is a New York-born contemporary jazz musician and producer. He is a music composer, pianist, record producer, and musical arranger with over three decades of entertainment experience. His

0207, 2011

Shanghai, China (Huangpu River)

World Cities & Harbors
599

This brilliant look at the Huangpu Riverfront in Shanghai, China demonstrates why the city has become the premier economic and cultural center in mainland China. Here, two sides of Shanghai come together. The Bund– a mile-long riverfront filled with mostly historical buildings and traditional architecture– sits opposite the Pudong District, Shanghai’s modern commercial district. The Pudong skyline includes the two tallest buildings in all of China: the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Center. As the huge amount of sightseers may suggest, this area is now one of the most popular travel destinations in Shanghai. Bob James is recognized for his role in establishing smooth jazz music. His influence on the genre is