.:passport project comm(on)unity blog:.

I really appreciate the cultural ambassadors who help give us access behind the scenes into so many wonderful traditional artforms. For people interested in expanding their musical horizons, the following are some avenues that are definitely worthy of exploration!

This thread was originally part of a discussion about Bela Fleck’s DVD documentary about the African roots of the banjo, called Throw Down Your Heart. It’s a phenomenal look at several different cultures within Africa, and their corresponding musical styles. The DVD is packed with amazing musicians, and Bela does an incredible job playing with them in THEIR style, not just jamming together. If you can see his live tour with some of those musicians, don’t miss it!! And the CD’s are great too, all recorded while in Africa. Besides this video, the Flecktones do such an amazing job of finding obscure and HIGHLY talented musicians from around the world. They introduced me to Tuvan throat singing, and more importantly they introduced me to tabla, when Sandip Burman sat in with them in the summer of 2000, the day I became a percussionist.

As far as incredible video explorations of music around the world, a couple more movies have to be mentioned. Pulse – A Stomp Odyssey is another film that is not to be missed, which looks at percussion traditions from around the world and what they have evolved INTO in modern times. The Elements of One is another important and absolutely brilliant film by Steve Coleman, which studies the roots of jazz in Africa, Cuba, Egypt, and India, and also focuses on how jazz evolved out of these art forms. It also deals with transcending the ‘subjective’ to express ‘objective truths’, astrology, and mythological representation through instrumental music.

We also have many such ambassadors here locally. David Badagnani, a musician and ethnomusicology professor at Kent State has done so much for world music locally, including finding out about pretty much EVERY world music lecture, class, performance, etc, and puts the word out to his gigantic email list. Extremely knowledgeable and interesting to talk to. Great musician too…. He’s on facebook here so send him a friend request and get on his list! If you’re organizing a multicultural event, let him know so he can put the word out!

Indian Classical Music Society (ICMS Cleveland) which I’m part of organizes concerts here for master Hindustani musicians visiting from India. Also, Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana at Cleveland State festival is one of the biggest Carnatic music festivals in North America, and they have a week to two of phenomenal classical dance and music programs each spring. ICMS could never have taken off without the guidance and enthusiasm are tireless efforts of Ravi Gaonkar. And the CTA Fest was started by Cleveland Balasubramaniam 30 years ago in his basement, and now people come from all over the country as well as Canada.

Last but definitely not least is Chloë Hopson and Passport Project. She studies dance and music in West Africa, and also brings teachers (from Africa) here to Cleveland to perform with the Global Dance and Music Collective, as well as to teach people of all ages and to generally spread cultural awareness and acceptance. Much of this work is especially focused on helping to instill a deep sense of heritage in youths who may often be cut off from their ancestral traditions. She exposes people not just to African dancers and musicians, but to arts and cultures from all over the world. Director of Passport Project, Dancer, Drummer, Choreographer, Educator, Grant Writer, and air traffic coordinator at rehearsals and gigs… Chloe Hopson does it all. Get in touch with her here on facebook to arrange a performance or education event.

Anyway… I know I’m forgetting some important people here locally, but those are the ones who stand out most in my mind. I figured they are good AVENUES OF EXPLORATION for anyone interested in expanding their sense of cultural awareness, or anyone who just wants to see some amazing music and dancing.

Enjoy!!!