2 AM.

It is two in the morning. I dismissed my trainees to have lunch. I feel exhausted. I dont know why. Have you ever felt like that too? A new review is up. Please visit www.celticmusicfan.wordpress.com

The end is here.

It's the end-of another year. So many things happend. I lost a friend. I gained new ones. Life is a series of uncertainties. There will always be people you will love and those you want to murder. In the end it is just you. So the best advice I can give you? Be kind to yourself.

Trying to surf in my mobile.

And trying to blog to...how are you people? Sorry it took a while. But as you remember... I met a guy by the name of Hexrex months and months ago. He was charming and kind. But there was another person vying for his attention..a lady. So I decided to go. But now I am here...

Wow Oh So Quiet

Sorry I have been away. My computer is still in the repair shop. I am supposed to have an interview with Pierre but that has to wait a bit. Stay tuned.

Pierre XI the Next Generation in The Vein of Daft Punk

  Pierre xi is a project of a young talent who has a lot of stuff going on in his mind. It was interesting conducting a interview with him but before that let us take a lose look at the music. Personally I love electronic music especially when it that espouses amazing sounds scapes and not just doing music for the sake of dancing. You will hear a lot about our prodigy in different incarnations so just watch out.

Pierre xi is a project that is already displaying depth and texture . There are track that sound as if they’re taken out from Martian landscape. And then there are those that are at home in clubs. There is youthful vigor and palpable optimism in most of the tracks while in others there is sense of melancholy-the perfect chill out companion  after retiring drunk and tired at thee in the morning.

I can sense that whatever musical project this young man will undertook , it will be a smash because you feel that passion in his every track. More at www.virb.com/pierrexi and  www.myspace.com/pierrexi  

You are a man of many musical tastes. It seems that when I read your profile on this one, this has really nothing to do with your other musical inclination. Do you love being exclusively in either musical worlds?(referring to electronic versus the acoustic and rock band in your other monickers).

 No, I'm never exclusively in either project. It's really weird - when I'm in my electronic world, I bring in influences (melodies, harmonies, chord progressions) from my acoustic and rock projects, and when I'm in my rock and acoustic projects I like to dabble and play around with things I've learnt making electronic music. Actually, the bass player from The Final Year and I are going to the same university next year, and, facing the prospect of making music without a drummer, we've decided to try mixing alternative rock with house and electronic music. Should be interesting. Anyways, I really enjoy mixing all these worlds and projects, because if you close your mind and put yourself exclusively in one project, you end up losing a large part of your creativity, and that's never a good thing for artists of any kind!

Do you consider this as a long term persuasion, or just a fancy diversion?

 This is definitely a long term thing. I'm going to university next year, studying Chemistry, but I'm never going to give up my music. Although it will be a (very) serious hobby for some time, I plan on returning to it quite seriously once I have saved enough money. My dream is to build my own studio on some of my family's property.

Can you expound on the gadgets you use to create these electronic stuff and the people involved with you in this project?

Well for my electronic project I use Ableton Live, which is an amazing Digital Audio Workstation for both Mac and PC (I use it on a MacBook Pro) especially geared towards DJs and electronic music producers (although I also use it to record my other projects). Within this software I have a huge list of free plugins that I use and combine to create what I can - I'm still learning, but every time I produce a new piece I feel like a have learnt something and accomplished something more. These plugins are everything from virtual synthesizers and instruments to digital effects. One day (again, when I have saved enough money) I plan of buying some synthesizers and analog effects. But for now this virtual stuff is serving me quite well.

You site Daft Punk as one of the primary influences which I think is interesting. But there are ambient elements in your sound that resemble what Bjork does, as well as Sigur Ros. This is heavy stuff we are talking about. Is it intentional for you to sound that way?

 Well Daft Punk were the first for me - through their stuff I really discovered electronic music and what it could be, especially with Discovery, my favorite album of theirs. They were soon followed by Justice (who I was lucky to see live a couple times) and other electro in the same vein. Recently I started exploring true house and deep house music through Laurent Garnier and Deadmau5 and the like, but throughout my musical upbringing my father kept playing these ambient house and soul artists, including Bjork, and I guess their influence left a mark on my music. The sounds that come out are the closest I can get to my vision of the pieces I create, and every time I make a new piece I get closer to my vision of what my electronic sound should be. One day I feel I will produce that track that says "Yes! This is what I want to create!" and I will know I will have found my sound.

Do you plan to take this music in a way…say…releasing an EP ?

 Until I make that track that I can say truly represents what I want my sound to be, I don't want to rush into producing an EP. And I haven't been producing electronic music for some time, as I've been focusing on my acoustic stuff as well as the band, but I have learnt a lot this past year, so during the summer and throughout the next few years I will be exploring my electronic side, and hopefully I will find what I want and create an EP at some point!

What’s your opinion about kids these days shooting drugs and getting the booze?

 I think it's sad. There are some great examples of guys who were clean their whole lives and have made amazing music - think of Peter Gabriel and the guys from King Crimson. I really don't feel I need that influence to get me to my creative state of mind - music makes me high enough. In the end, though, I feel like there's nothing I can really do but sit here and tell them it's sad, because they have control over their own lives, and they are the ones screwing themselves up. All I can do is tell them that it's not good for them and that they don't need it, but that's about it. Drinking is even worse, in a way, because I go to parties these days and you see people drinking to get drunk - rich kids drinking 40 or 50 dollar bottles of hard liquor and not even appreciating it. As a European, that hurts. We were always brought up to appreciate and enjoy alcohol and food. I go to a party, and I'll drink, but I'll really try to appreciate it, and if I get drunk it won't be until very late (think 3 or 4 in the morning). Meanwhile, you're with a bunch of kids who are smashed at 10 or 11 o'clock. It's lame.

When not creating music what do you do to chill out?

 I chill with my awesome friends, the guys in the band, and of course my wonderful girlfriend. We watch movies and listen to music. A lot of music. We go outside and do some pretty ridiculous things, and think we're invincible. I think eventually one of us is going to get hurt but we're probably going to keep going until someone actually does. Otherwise there's the necessary studying and working in order to keep all my dreams alive!

Any musical gadget you own that you are really proud of?

 My father's (now mine) 30-year-old Yamaha FG-335 acoustic guitar. In relation to the electronic stuff specifically, not yet. But hopefully soon!

Are you into buying pricey music stuff?

I'm into buying quality music stuff, and usually that means pricey (unfortunately). Whenever I'm going to buy something music related I do some extensive research as to which is the best for its price. I never over-spend because I know how much I want to spend and so I get the best I can for that price. However, I usually give myself a good amount to spend so I'm sure that I will be getting something that is high quality.

Message to your listeners?

Whoever listens to any of my stuff - first and foremost: enjoy it! This is my gift to you, to the world, and I want everyone who listens to it to enjoy the experience it provides. If it's not your cup of tea, that's alright too, just don't yell at me for making it. Also, don't be shy to contact me and give me some constructive criticism - there's nothing more useful that a fan or a listener or a fellow musician giving me pointers as to what to try and what to avoid. I'm still learning so I want everyone to give me feedback so I can get better. So don't be shy to get it contact with me! If you have the financial capacities, I also wouldn't mind a little donation to the cause by paying a little something for my album over at pierrotechnique.bandcamp.com! But that's not the main focus. Above all, I want you all to enjoy everything I make!

Hope that answers everything!

Pierre.

Pierre XI the Next Generation in The Vein of Daft Punk

  Pierre xi is a project of a young talent who has a lot of stuff going on in his mind. It was interesting conducting a interview with him but before that let us take a lose look at the music. Personally I love electronic music especially when it that espouses amazing sounds scapes and not just doing music for the sake of dancing. You will hear a lot about our prodigy in different incarnations so just watch out.

Pierre xi is a project that is already displaying depth and texture . There are track that sound as if they’re taken out from Martian landscape. And then there are those that are at home in clubs. There is youthful vigor and palpable optimism in most of the tracks while in others there is sense of melancholy-the perfect chill out companion  after retiring drunk and tired at thee in the morning.

I can sense that whatever musical project this young man will undertook , it will be a smash because you feel that passion in his every track. More at www.virb.com/pierrexi and  www.myspace.com/pierrexi  

You are a man of many musical tastes. It seems that when I read your profile on this one, this has really nothing to do with your other musical inclination. Do you love being exclusively in either musical worlds?(referring to electronic versus the acoustic and rock band in your other monickers).

 No, I'm never exclusively in either project. It's really weird - when I'm in my electronic world, I bring in influences (melodies, harmonies, chord progressions) from my acoustic and rock projects, and when I'm in my rock and acoustic projects I like to dabble and play around with things I've learnt making electronic music. Actually, the bass player from The Final Year and I are going to the same university next year, and, facing the prospect of making music without a drummer, we've decided to try mixing alternative rock with house and electronic music. Should be interesting. Anyways, I really enjoy mixing all these worlds and projects, because if you close your mind and put yourself exclusively in one project, you end up losing a large part of your creativity, and that's never a good thing for artists of any kind!

Do you consider this as a long term persuasion, or just a fancy diversion?

 This is definitely a long term thing. I'm going to university next year, studying Chemistry, but I'm never going to give up my music. Although it will be a (very) serious hobby for some time, I plan on returning to it quite seriously once I have saved enough money. My dream is to build my own studio on some of my family's property.

Can you expound on the gadgets you use to create these electronic stuff and the people involved with you in this project?

Well for my electronic project I use Ableton Live, which is an amazing Digital Audio Workstation for both Mac and PC (I use it on a MacBook Pro) especially geared towards DJs and electronic music producers (although I also use it to record my other projects). Within this software I have a huge list of free plugins that I use and combine to create what I can - I'm still learning, but every time I produce a new piece I feel like a have learnt something and accomplished something more. These plugins are everything from virtual synthesizers and instruments to digital effects. One day (again, when I have saved enough money) I plan of buying some synthesizers and analog effects. But for now this virtual stuff is serving me quite well.

You site Daft Punk as one of the primary influences which I think is interesting. But there are ambient elements in your sound that resemble what Bjork does, as well as Sigur Ros. This is heavy stuff we are talking about. Is it intentional for you to sound that way?

 Well Daft Punk were the first for me - through their stuff I really discovered electronic music and what it could be, especially with Discovery, my favorite album of theirs. They were soon followed by Justice (who I was lucky to see live a couple times) and other electro in the same vein. Recently I started exploring true house and deep house music through Laurent Garnier and Deadmau5 and the like, but throughout my musical upbringing my father kept playing these ambient house and soul artists, including Bjork, and I guess their influence left a mark on my music. The sounds that come out are the closest I can get to my vision of the pieces I create, and every time I make a new piece I get closer to my vision of what my electronic sound should be. One day I feel I will produce that track that says "Yes! This is what I want to create!" and I will know I will have found my sound.

Do you plan to take this music in a way…say…releasing an EP ?

 Until I make that track that I can say truly represents what I want my sound to be, I don't want to rush into producing an EP. And I haven't been producing electronic music for some time, as I've been focusing on my acoustic stuff as well as the band, but I have learnt a lot this past year, so during the summer and throughout the next few years I will be exploring my electronic side, and hopefully I will find what I want and create an EP at some point!

What’s your opinion about kids these days shooting drugs and getting the booze?

 I think it's sad. There are some great examples of guys who were clean their whole lives and have made amazing music - think of Peter Gabriel and the guys from King Crimson. I really don't feel I need that influence to get me to my creative state of mind - music makes me high enough. In the end, though, I feel like there's nothing I can really do but sit here and tell them it's sad, because they have control over their own lives, and they are the ones screwing themselves up. All I can do is tell them that it's not good for them and that they don't need it, but that's about it. Drinking is even worse, in a way, because I go to parties these days and you see people drinking to get drunk - rich kids drinking 40 or 50 dollar bottles of hard liquor and not even appreciating it. As a European, that hurts. We were always brought up to appreciate and enjoy alcohol and food. I go to a party, and I'll drink, but I'll really try to appreciate it, and if I get drunk it won't be until very late (think 3 or 4 in the morning). Meanwhile, you're with a bunch of kids who are smashed at 10 or 11 o'clock. It's lame.

When not creating music what do you do to chill out?

 I chill with my awesome friends, the guys in the band, and of course my wonderful girlfriend. We watch movies and listen to music. A lot of music. We go outside and do some pretty ridiculous things, and think we're invincible. I think eventually one of us is going to get hurt but we're probably going to keep going until someone actually does. Otherwise there's the necessary studying and working in order to keep all my dreams alive!

Any musical gadget you own that you are really proud of?

 My father's (now mine) 30-year-old Yamaha FG-335 acoustic guitar. In relation to the electronic stuff specifically, not yet. But hopefully soon!

Are you into buying pricey music stuff?

I'm into buying quality music stuff, and usually that means pricey (unfortunately). Whenever I'm going to buy something music related I do some extensive research as to which is the best for its price. I never over-spend because I know how much I want to spend and so I get the best I can for that price. However, I usually give myself a good amount to spend so I'm sure that I will be getting something that is high quality.

Message to your listeners?

Whoever listens to any of my stuff - first and foremost: enjoy it! This is my gift to you, to the world, and I want everyone who listens to it to enjoy the experience it provides. If it's not your cup of tea, that's alright too, just don't yell at me for making it. Also, don't be shy to contact me and give me some constructive criticism - there's nothing more useful that a fan or a listener or a fellow musician giving me pointers as to what to try and what to avoid. I'm still learning so I want everyone to give me feedback so I can get better. So don't be shy to get it contact with me! If you have the financial capacities, I also wouldn't mind a little donation to the cause by paying a little something for my album over at pierrotechnique.bandcamp.com! But that's not the main focus. Above all, I want you all to enjoy everything I make!

Hope that answers everything!

Pierre.

Pierre Masse's Situations

I recently discovered a talented young man by the name of Pierre Masse http://www.myspace.com/pierrotechnique. He’s originally from Canada but moved to France- the native land of his father. There he listened to his dad’s records and fell in love with French music. He has a band-The Final Year and also dabbles with electronic music under Pierre XI. He is now living in Canada for six years .
Pierre’s soul comes pouring in his solo project called Situations, his debut record sold independently, which you can also download at bandcamp. It’s stripped off acoustic based approach allows listener to get to the lyrics as well as his fresh voice as he sing about life, relationships, modern technology and how these things tend to alienate people instead of bringing them together. The simplicity of the tracks allows listener to remove the barriers that can distract them and really get into the core of each songs. It’s like having a friend who just dropped by sing you his songs. And yes, it’s like you know the person who sings these songs because there are no pretentions present in his recordings.
In the spirit of indie, his talent shines because he does everything himself. And he is passionate to get his message across. At an age when everyone likes to bum around, have an awful good time and just talk about mundane stuff, Pierre is beyond that all that. He looks at the bigger picture. His guitar playing is pristine and he has this humour that is infectious.

Why I love Lifehouse

Lifehouse is a kind of band that appeals mostly to girls. The songs are sensitive and the members have the kind of looks that any mom would not fear of losing their girl's virginity to. Well not literally . I remember one time during the early part of the decade. I was playing their first album. My friend Kenneth pointed out to me that they're like boy bands. I said no. But then he made me realize that a lot of grls were compairing Jason Wade to Alex Band of The Calling. And He's got a point.

Ten years later the band has a new album out called Smoke and Mirrors. Everything about it is beautiful. The songs are a combination of sad tunes and topics like falling in love and missing someone. This is something that any hard rock fan would not dig. These are sensitive stuff . And the guys are exuding positivity.
Yes they haven't been involved in any major controversy that hits any rock band. These guys are responsible and they just love writing and performing music. The same formula that made them stick around while their contemporares are all gone.

I am a sucker for sad atmospheric tunes. Songs driven by harmony and melody. Good songs that aren't really controversial. Just the kind of songs that will stick around fo a decade or two. So I dig Lifehouse too.

90s Flashback :Garbage

Let's just say I am one of those who fell for the wickedly adorable Shirley Manson. She 's a Scot and her dad's a Genetic Scientist who is one of those responsible for the cloned sheep Dolly. Garbage provided a perfect mood for my danger baiting years and love for dark aural matter.
.
So aside from reading about serial killers and vampires, the lyrics of Shirley Manson provides a perfect backdrop for the decadent decade.She got into acting and started in The Terminator series (th Sarah Connor chronicles ..or something like that) but which I never got to watch because we have no cable TV.Tsk tsk tsk!

Mike Verde in ReverbNation

  I got to listen to all tracks of Mike Verde on ReverbNation and I like them. They have a bit of Sigur Ros feel on them and Aphex Twin. Mike creates tracks that are sonically clear and atmospheric. Makes one want to get back for more:
http://www.reverbnation.com/artist/artist_songs/112274#/mikeverde

Trippin' with Jack Kerouac

I am in the middle of this insanely beautiful book On the Road by Jack Kerouac. I wish I was born way back when beatniks were the hip crowd. I love the fact that the passages are very familiar and his prose are really honest to a point that they are sometimes shocking. All those revelations. I will never look at any grand daddy the same way again hahahahaha.

On the Road is about a friendship created by these outcast characters. Jack speaks to Sal, the main character. He has a friend Dean(Neal Cassady in real life) who switches between two women in one night. Talk about sex , drugs and rock n' roll here. The novel also boasts of jazz music and the likes or Miles Davies and Charlie Parker. Man, I had to dig out old recordings just to hear that mourful jazz music from the 50s. Carlo Marx in the novel is actually Allen Ginsberg.

I can't wait to finish this one so I can post up a formal review. You can also find great info in this link:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Road

Hmmmm..Mike Verde's Quirky Beats Color the Cyberspace

  I like chilled beats. I'm not much of a dancer but I love to dance on a chair ;) It's such a blessing when Chad  pointed my attention to this electronic artist from Vancouver Canada.

Summer Nights is a quirky track which sounds like something you'd hear out of a computer game. The punishing drum parts in the middle makes it something like artist Beck would do minus the vocals. All pure fun with no strings attached.

Riding my Bike at night is trippy and as the title says, a perfect cruising track.

Acid Tapes Cabin Acid-Trance on acid. A perfect R2D2 companion. My folks were curious with the sound emanating from my laptop as I am writing this review and listening to the music. It is a kind of music I can relate too. Not dark or heavy. Just pure goodness fun.

Check out
http://www.myspace.com/mikeverde

Canadian Chad Paquet making a promising music

  Chad Paquet is from Canada and he makes amazing music. He laces his ballads with comedy. But wait a second. He is a serious musician. His style is a combination of easy alternative,folk ,jazz and funk. And this guy can cook a mean cuisine. So, will there be new tracks or maybe a full EP coming from Chad? Only time will tell. Please check out his songs on myspace:(on the pic Chad and sister Emily)


http://www.myspace.com/chadpaquet

Royal Wood

Wow I haven't got such a treat since Ben Folds Five . Royal Wood makes a kind of music that is suited for heartbreaks or for simply lying down on the coach on a lazy afternoon. I love his piano playing and a voice that might have come from black and white films. If you are in the mood, you might want to check Royal Wood out.

http://www.myspace.com/royalwood

Sade is Back with Weapons of Mass Hypnosis

I am looking forward to getting Sade's new album Soldier of Love. I am not much of a soul music fan because I was brought up to a different kind of musical culture. I personally ban all rap and hip hop music at home. But then again there is something about Sade's music that speaks to me. Perhaps it is her innate sense of elegance and propensity for writing about pain that really get to me. Her voice s not something that you would really call 'showcase vocals' because it is laid back . But after hearing too many Celine Dions and Mariah Carey, this is a breath of fresh air!

Sade is still in top form and to think this lady is already 51! She is still backed witht he same musicians since she launched her first highly successful album Diamond Life in 1984. After waiting for 10 years(Her last album was Lovers Rock) this is a great news .

ZADE, renowned Jordanian composer and pianist, presents "a message of peace to the world" with new CD‏

I received an email from a reader regarding a unique musician. I think it would be marvelous to highlight such talent here:




Hi,






Renowned Jordanian composer and pianist, ZADE has joined with 100 musicians from 40 nations to present “a message of peace to the world” in ZADE – One Night In Jordan: A Concert for Peace out on CD February 9th and to be released on DVD on March 9th.






ZADE’S cinematic music blending East and West draws inspiration from the anthems of the great film composers, his homeland’s natural beauty and the efforts of His Majesty the late King Hussein of Jordan to make peace in the Middle East.


The epic music event features musicians from around the world including; London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Voices Choir, virtuoso violinists Karen Briggs (Soul II Soul, Wynton Marsalis) and Grammy winner Charlie Bisharat (Elton John, Black-Eyed Peas), Ramon Stagnaro on Spanish guitar (Josh Groban, Shakira) and world music woodwind maestro Pedro Eustache (Paul McCartney and Don Henley) all performing ZADE’S uplifting compositions at one of the world’s largest remaining Roman Amphitheatres, built nearly 2,000 years ago.






I have advance copies of One Night In Jordan: A Concert for Peace for review. Below is a link to additional assets. Please let me know if you are interested in featuring ZADE.






Download (cover art, photos, bio and press release):


http://www.specialopsmedia.com/assets/Zade/Assets.zip






One Night In Jordan: A Concert for Peace Preorder Link:


http://zade.shop.musictoday.com/Dept.aspx?cp=29054_29206






Zade’s official site:


http://www.zade.com


FaceBook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/ZADE/189051320768?ref=ts


MySpace:


http://www.myspace.com/zade_zdrecords
iLike:


http://www.ilike.com/artist/Zade










ZADE - One Night in Jordan: A Concert for Peace


Epic Music Event featuring Musicians from Around the World Performing in The Name of Peace at Historic Roman Amphitheatre to air on PBS in 2010.






Concert CD from ZD Records, Distributedby EMI,


to be released in the US on February 9th, 2010, followed by the DVD release.






LOS ANGELES – Named by the Washington Post as a "gorgeous pianist/composer/hunk," and recognized by The Washington Times as "Jordan’s leading Cultural Ambassador (who) dedicates his music to building bridges of peace and tolerance," the young Jordanian composer and pianist ZADE makes his television performance debut joined by one hundred musicians from 40 nations to present “a message of peace to the world” in ZADE – One Night In Jordan: A Concert for Peace airing as a PBS special in 2010. The CD and the DVD of the concert will be released in the US on February 9th, 2010, followed by an international tour by ZADE in Spring, 2010.


The composer’s epic cinematic music blending East and West draws inspiration from the anthems of the great film composers, his homeland’s natural beauty and the efforts of His Majesty the late King Hussein of Jordan to make peace in the Middle East. Recently, ZADE and some of the world’s finest musicians – including London’s renowned Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Voices Choir, virtuoso violinists Karen Briggs (Soul II Soul, Wynton Marsalis) and Grammy winner Charlie Bisharat (Elton John, Black-Eyed Peas), Ramon Stagnaro on Spanish guitar (Josh Groban, Shakira) and world music woodwind maestro Pedro Eustache (Paul McCartney and Don Henley) traveled to Jordan to present an uplifting and majestic musical journey of ZADE’S compositions at one of the world’s largest remaining Roman Amphitheatres in the world, built nearly 2,000 years ago.


This monumental concert television event was filmed in HD, under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein and dedicated in loving memory of His Majesty the late King Hussein of Jordan. It was one of the biggest, if not the biggest, ever concert staged in Jordan.


Following the live concert, ZADE was flooded with emails from Jordanian fans urging him to “tell the world that we want peace,” while thanking him for “giving us back the hope we have sometimes lost.”


While The Los Angeles Times noted that for ZADE, “making music and advocating world peace go hand in hand,” People Magazine lauded ZADE as a piano prodigy. No stranger to U.S. audiences, ZADE’s previous albums have spent months on the U.S. Billboard charts – beginning in 2003 with his self-titled debut – and his wild popularity in Jordan helped his albums reach No. 1 on the Jordanian Album Charts.


Music featured on ZADE – One Night in Jordan: A Concert For Peace includes original compositions that ZADE composed and produced ranging from his signature epic “Kingdom of Peace,” to the Latin inspired “Tango,” the energetic “Amman,” and the reflective “Santiago’s Dream,” inspired by the book “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho.


America’s love affair with ZADE began in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Feeling that “terrorists have hijacked my religion,” ZADE began a humble grassroots effort to create a better understanding of his culture in the West by performing house concerts across America. Playing in people’s living rooms, churches, temples, schools, and hospitals, he toured non-stop from 2001 till 2005, performing an average of 200 nights a year and earning praise for his efforts to combat world polarization. These earnest community concerts for peace catapulted the artist onto the world stage, ZADE has performed before Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, First Lady Laura Bush, and their Majesties Jordan’s King Abdullah and Queen Rania.


In 2005, ZADE established the ZADE Foundation for International Peace and Understanding, a U.S. non-profit organization helping musicians expand their role to become proactive peace builders and future community leaders. Under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, and with support from Berklee College of Music and Seeds of Peace, ZADE toured with musicians from around the world. Not only did the concerts feature artists from war-torn regions working together through music, but each stop of the tour included different cultural workshops in which band members were able to talk about their experiences growing up in their respective countries. The performances and workshops had a positive affect: a performance at a Washington, DC area synagogue prompted a new dialogue between the Muslim and Jewish communities in the area, the tour helped launch The Boniuk Center for Religious Tolerance at Rice University, as well as the creation of The Peace Song Initiative in Detroit, MI.


ZADE studied Western and Middle Eastern music composition and piano


performance at Noor Al Hussein’s National Music Conservatory in Amman, Jordan and later continued his studies at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.






ZADE – One Night in Jordan: A Concert for Peace features band members including John Robinson (Drums), Walter Rodriguez (Latin Percussion), Frank Crawford (Keyboards), Michael Thompson (Electric Guitar), John Peña (Bass Guitar), Gary Innes (Accordion), Lilit Khojayan (Qanoon), and Nasser Salameh (Middle Eastern percussion).


Executive Producers are Danny O’Donovan and Gustavo Sagastume; Producer: Danny O’Donovan; Associate Producer: Betsey Kamel; Director: Steve Purcell. A presentation of WLIW21 in association with WNET.ORG.

Cheers!


Becky


Well, I hope this one will bring our readers new musical discovery worth hearing and talking about .