PLAYING FOR CHANGE: Songs Around the World Tour

by Jason Walsh

published in ON TAP Magazine, Washington D.C.

The life of a musician can be a hard road, along which many have found themselves playing for change just to survive. The street musician is a mythic figure, regarded both high and low, and represents the unique and individual cultures from which their songs originate. It took the pairing of a Grammy-award-winning engineer with a documentary filmmaker, and the desire to capture the sounds from the streets to bring the music of the world together. This was how Playing for Change began.

“Music has always inspired me in many ways throughout my life,” filmmaker Jonathan Walls said. “I’m fascinated at the complex, yet simple divinity it has.”

Walls combined with Playing for Change creator Mark Johnson when they collaborated on their first film, “Playing for Change: A Cinematic Discovery of Street Music.” Where this first outing documented the sounds of the street in America, their second would serve to bring the music of the world together. “Playing for Change: Peace Through Music” saw Johnson and Walls traversing the continents, gathering sound and film elements from all corners of the globe. The inspiration came from a random, chance encounter by Johnson in New York City.

“About ten years ago, I was headed to work one morning,” Johnson said. And, while in the subway, I witnessed a musical performance of two monks painted all in white from head to toe. They were wearing brown robes, and one of them was singing in a foreign language while the other man played a nylon guitar. I remember seeing about 200 people, of different cultures, races, and genders, stop and listen to the music. Everyone was so moved by the performance even though I can’t imagine any of us knew what they were singing about. It occurred to me that there existed in this moment in time, a strong sense of human connection and the ability to overcome our differences as people. I decided right then and there that music is the key to a better world. I also realized it was my calling to go out and find as many of these inspiring human moments as possible.”

Their third outing, a CD/DVD release called “Songs Around the World” saw them take the music of nearly 40 different musicians from different nations and mix them into the one singular standard, “Stand By Me.” Started off with street musician Roger Ridley in Santa Monica, the song fades in local New Orleans icon Grandpa Elliott, and then to Clarence Bekker in Amsterdam, fused with the instruments of more than three dozen musicians from as many countries: Spain, Venezuela, the Congo, Ghana, South Africa, Brazil, France, Russia, Italy, and more. The video had counters spinning on You Tube, as more than 30-million viewers saw the ultimate worldwide jam of like-minded performers who had never met.

“The idea for this project arose from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people,” Johnson said. “No matter whether people come from different geographic, political, economic, spiritual, or ideological backgrounds, music has the universal power to transcend and unite us as one human race. And with this truth firmly fixed in our minds, we set out to share it with the world.”

“Playing for Change: Songs Around the World” debuted at #10 on the Billboard Top 200 Pop Chart selling twenty-six thousand copies in its first week. With the success the films and music releases of the Playing for Change project have had, Johnson and Walls decided to bring the music they’ve gathered together to the stage for a tour that will showcase nine of the main participants.

“I’m super excited about our upcoming Playing for Change tour,” Walls said. “It’s always a treat and an absolute blast to get the band as well as our crew together and share our passion and music to audiences. When our ‘family’ is together doing what we all do best, beautiful moments unfold, and the inspirational energy is transferred.”

The North American tour will hit 22 cities with the Playing for Change band, featuring Grandpa Elliott from New Orelans, Clarence Bekker from the Netherlands, Mermans Kenkosenki and Jason Tamba from the Congo, as well as other jammers from Venezuela, Ghana, and Zimbabwe. The first show of the tour kicks off in Alexandria on Tuesday, October 20 at the Birchmere. Walls said there were some positive events ahead along the road, as they have created a foundation where the music can help give back.

“We are excited to be kicking off the tour at the Birchmere,” he said. “We do have a special benefit show for the Playing for Change Foundation in Los Angeles. These events are always special because they are benefiting the youth of our world, giving them opportunities to become empowered and inspired through music at the Playing for Change Music Schools we are building around the world.”

This program was their way of giving back to the communities from where they had found the performers who had shared their music. It was further justification to them that the power of the song can bring change.

“Over the course of this project, we decided it was not enough for our crew just to record and share this music with the world,” Johnson said, “We wanted to create a way to give back to the musicians and their communities that had shared so much with us. Now, musicians from all over the world are brought together to perform benefit concerts that build music and art schools in communities that are in need of inspiration and hope. When audiences see and hear musicians who have traveled thousands of miles from their homes, united in purpose and chorus on one stage, everyone is touched by music's unifying power.”

Walls agreed that what first began as an assignment, has changed his life forever.

“While filming all over the world and experiencing an assortment of cultures, beliefs and dreams, I've realized a tremendous amount about humanity and the commonality our human race has. At the same time, I've learned more about our differences, giving me an opportunity to further understand each other on a deeper level, thus allowing myself to blossom toward not only a personal peace, but an ambassador toward global peace. And, our path was music.”

The Birchmere

Tuesday, Oct. 20
3701 Mt. Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305

703-549-7500

http://www.birchmere.com/

$49.50