SHAOLIN JAZZ is a conceptual, music-based
project that explores the connections between Jazz and Hip-Hop culture through
a series of creative and educational engagements. We (the project creators) are seeking to initiate a cultural exchange program between the Sister cities of Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)
and Washington, DC
(USA) through Jazz and Hip-Hop. The goals of the initiative will be to foster a musical connection between the 2 cities, and help bridge the gap that exists between the Ethiopian music/nightlife community and the prominent live music scene in Washington, DC. With your help we can do much more than make an impact on a room full of people........we can make an impact on 2 countries.
The program will first consist of travel to Addis Ababa to meet with local Jazz and Hip-Hop artists to learn first-hand about the history of those respective music scenes in Ethiopia; and a culminating SHAOLIN JAZZ L!VE performance (live Jazz & Hip-Hop) in collaboration with notable Ethio-Jazz and Hip-Hop artists, including Wayna Wondwossen (vocalist), Munit Mesfin (vocalist), Jorga Mesfin (saxophone), Jay Matic (MC) and DC-native Kenny Allen (vocalist/guitarist). The second part of the program will take place upon returning to Washington, DC. It will consist of a panel discussion about Jazz and Hip-Hop culture in the US and Ethiopia, followed by a performance of SHAOLIN JAZZ L!VE in the historic U Street Corridor featuring guest musicians from Addis Ababa.
Here's a glimpse of what SHAOLIN JAZZ L!VE looks like
At this moment we have already connected with several musicians in Addis Ababa who are willing and eager to participate in this project, secured venues for performances in both cities, and been partially funded by the DC Commission for the Arts and Humanities to cover transportation to Ethiopia. However, we do not yet have enough funding to make this a balanced exchange and cover transportation for Ethiopian artists from Addis Ababa to travel to Washington, DC and share their style of music with us here in the US. Moreover, we have additional expenses that need to be covered to fulfill this undertaking. This includes overnight accommodations in each country, marketing expenses for promoting engagements in each country, and other logistical items while in Ethiopia (such as a translator, food, and ground transportation).
Help bring some of Ethiopia's finest musicians to the US:
The PERKS!
With your financial support, regardless of how big or small, we can make these ends meet. And fortunately for you, we have a long list of goodies for you to choose from as a token of our gratitude for your support (available worldwide). Check them out below (and on the right---->).
Click here to see the different design and colors available for the apparel items:
Just about all of these items come in a variety of colors and sizes to choose from (click here to see). In addition, you can customize them with any one of these unique SHAOLIN JAZZ designs:
If our campaign is successful and we are able to carry out this initiative (with your support, of course) we plan to document all of the sights and sounds we experience throughout the project, and share them all with you on our new platform called the Culture Science Studio. The Culture Science Studio is a site dedicated to cultural and educational images, soundbites and other highlights documented from SHAOLIN JAZZ engagements all across the globe.
Until then please help make SHAOLIN JAZZ in Ethiopia a reality, and show your support for this one-of-a-kind exchange between 2 cities from 2 different countries exploring 2 different genres of music....Jazz & Hip-Hop.
For more info about all things related to SHAOLIN JAZZ visit www.shaolinjazz.com.