Hi/Bonjour!
I just returned from a three-day trip to Haiti to take part in the 9th edition of the Port-au-Prince Jazz Festival with singer Ranee Lee. Also in the group were Ranee's husband and guitarist Richard Ring, pianist Taurey Butler and bassist Dave Watts. We did two shows along with a vocal workshop at a community arts centre. At all these venues the audiences gave us a beautiful and warm reception (and immediate feedback!) and I can't wait to go back! There is still lots of work to be done helping the people of Haiti rebuild after the earthquake 5 years ago that caused such terrible destruction. That damage, along with widespread poverty, and a worsening cholera situation, is heart-wrenching when you see it before your eyes. We've become desensitized to stories of poverty and disease and the scale of the problems make them feel too impossible to overcome and as a result we often will do nothing. The only solution is by spreading the word and making a donation. One of my new year's resolutions is to get my humanitarian chops up to speed and so I'm starting by making a donation and I hope you do too! http://www.redcross.ca/haiti2010/ |