Indian Voices • November 2009
7
“Sacred Ground” - The Congo
ment of the music that we now call benefit from this multiple charity proj-
JAZZ… ect. The income generated from any-
I believe that it all started with the
thing related to THE CONGO SQUARE
Square Project Foundation
West African & Native American contri-
PROJECT FOUNDATION will solely
butions. Followed by the European &
benefit the charities involved in re-con-
Latin influences. Commercial trade
structing the city of New Orleans. We
between the ports of New Orleans &
Drummers United
the many hardships, have always
have ALL united for them in this good
remained together throughout their diffi-
the neighboring Caribean Islands
cause. It’s a humble tribute to the musi-
brought constant updates from all neigh-
Katrina, the storm, one of the dead-
cult history, thanks to their loyalty to
cians that we love so much. I sincerely
boring countries:
liest natural disasters in US history,
this strong spiritual music brought from hope that the many donations, volun-
NEW ORLEANS IS THE MELTING
deeply affected a New
their ancestral land. teers, powerful documentaries, and all
POT OF AMERICA
Orleans’ musical com-
We are planning on leaving four
the big and small musical contributions
munity as well as
The Second CD: SAINTS
albums behind that will fully benefit
currently taking place will help some of
those tied to it,
AT CONGO SQUARE
these great charities: The New Orleans
those in need.
including those living Reflects the projec-
Musicians Clinic; The Mardi Gras
They need to know that they are
on the other side of tion and impact that
Indians Hall of Fame; The Reverend Lois
NOT alone, that we truly care for
the country. At that this music has made. It
Dejean’s Youth Assistance Foundation;
them...
time, LA session starts with the magnifi-
Sweet Home New Orleans; The Congo
As Nathan Chasing Horse (Medicine
drummer/producer cent “Shubaum (The
Square Drummers & The Preservation
Man, North Lakota Nation) said: “LIS-
Fabian Jolivet had Soul of India)” record-
Hall Foundation, etc… Neither me per-
TEN WITH YOUR HEART”
already began record- ed in Calcutta by tabla
sonally, nor any of the musicians includ- Regards, FABIAN JOLIVET
ing two albums of virtuoso Tanmoy Bose
ed will ever receive any future financial (drummer/producer)
instrumental music (Ravi Shankar) & ben-
entitled “The gali singer Idranil Sen.
Contact us, listen to music on MySpace... innovative not-for-profit occupational medicine and
Electroroots Project” This opera like concept wellness partnership offering comprehensive health
for Standard Music album also takes the
1)THE CONGO SQUARE PROJECT FOUNDATION:
care to sustain our community’s most precious
Library (UK). This listener through a
http://www.myspace.com/thecongosquareproject-
resource: our musicians. Our sponsors are the
project included a music journey that
foundation
Daughters of Charity Services of New Orleans, The
tribute to The includes the superb
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, and the
2) DRUMMERS UNITED (with a little help from our
Crescent City, a drum AfroCuBop piece that friends): http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuse-
LSU Health Care Network. Our principal donor is the
suite to be called gives the album it’s
action=user.viewprofile&friendid=347343321
Pfizer Foundation. For every $1 we receive in dona-
tions we provide $12 in services.
CONGO SQUARE, title, performed by
Before the project was latin jazz leader
PLEASE DONATE TO THE NEW ORLEANS
Dedicated on May 2, 1998, NOMC became the first
MUSICIANS CLINIC:
such health initiative in the United States, addressing
completed, Katrina had hit. Francisco Mora Catlett, featuring Sun
http://www.neworleansmusiciansclinic.org/index.html
the health care needs of musicians and their families,
“DEEDS NOT WORDS, that’s the title Ra’s protege Marshall Allen on sax. A fit- an under-served segment of the population. Our ded-
of that great Max Roach record, isn’t it?” ting tribute to Congo Square & Louis ABOUT THE NOMC icated consortium of service providers has treated
Fabian asks. “See, I truly believe in the Armstrong, dedicated to the great Max
The New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic (NOMC) is an more than 1000 local musicians.
message this sorcerer of the skins sent Roach.
out to all of us, that NOW is the time Followed by a string of sharp Beat
for everybody to act. To finally help re- Poetry pieces performed by eccentric
build this amazing community that visionaries Earl Palmer (Little Richard);
influenced the entire world. After all, we Phil Fixico (Seminole Maroon Indian);
are talking about thee cradle of modern Javier Martinez (Manal); Moris; Andres
music. Calamaro; Rasta Jah Faith/Santa Davis
THE CONGO SQUARE PROJECT is a and others
massive double album that traces the The magical gatherings that took
evolution of the African music that was place during slavery in CONGO
later brewed in the heart of the city dur- PLACE/New Orleans between local
ing the 1700’s. Recorded with a modern
native tribes & African slaves weren’t
day Alan Lomax production approach. It
simply limited to commercial trade. Do You Need a GED?
moves your body & soul, at the same
They were a historically unique social &
time that it feeds your mind. It has all
musical exchange amongst two
the necessary New Orleans musical
Do You Want to go to College?
oppressed people that would forever
gumbo ingredients that made The
change the future of music. The meet-
Crescent City famous. Including those
ings that occurred on the open field that Do You Want to Increase your Career
(often overlooked) important contribu-
had long been considered SACRED
tions made by Native American tribes,
GROUND by the Houmas Indians,
opportunities by advancing your education?
and, the European, Caribbean &
whom used it to celebrate their annual
Mexican influences that soon followed.
“Corn Harvest” for many hundreds of
years before the European invaders
The First CD: SACRED GROUND
The Adult Educational Services Program at the University of Nevada
arrived, helped integrate two cultures
Opens with an Orisha blessing cere- that not only benefited from trading furs
Las Vegas is a federally funded program designed to help you meet
monial introduction, conducted by & labor tools during those Sundays, but
your academic goals.
African Yoruba Priest-Master drummer also enriched each other’s cultures
Ayo Adeyemi (Babe Olatunji Followed through a complex exchange of rhythms, We provide GED assistance, Financial Aid - Admissions Assistance,
by an array of musical pieces and tribal history, spiritualism, chanting and
and Career Exploration. What are you waiting for? Join the thousands
grooves that include the dance of the dancing.
of Clark County residents who are advancing with their education…
Bamboula, Mardi Gras Indians, Street Native American chanting had a
we are here for you!
Musicians, Secondline, Dixieland, direct influence in African American
Bucket Players and Congo Square music. The rhythm patter is closer than
Drummers. This side closes 300 years anything that you will hear in West
Call us now at (702) 774-4124
later, with The Revend Lois Dejean’s African music.
During the past four years I have
http://caeo.unlv.edu/aes.htm
(Mahalia Jackson) NOLA Gospel Choir’s
emotional rendition of “He knows how
invested plenty of time in researching
much we can bear”. Showing us that the
and recording all the influences that
city’s African descendants, regardless of
could have contributed to the develop-
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