“Big-ups to all my warriors.  I was thinking of you today and wrote:

If you’ve got it in you, take the chance/ there’s people out there who need you, need you to take the risk/ be vulnerable, cuz your pain is their story, and they find a friend in your words/ stomp madly on the doubt/ be brazen against the weak minded, who try to cover you in a blanket of the great low common denominator/You could stay cozy in the sleep of those afraid to live/ Stay lazy in the daze, following the guidance of television dreams/or you could join us down here on the earth, straining to breath our next breath, emotions aglow with the right to survive as free.  As free.’”

The Blue Note Show — May 24th

The Blue Note, an internationally-renowned club in the heart of Greenwich Village, is almost like a second home for Maya Azucena.  Whether headlining her own shows or making a surprise guest appearance with another artist, Maya augments the club’s prestigious reputation of featuring world-class talent whenever she takes the stage.  “I really look forward to every Blue Note performance as they seem to hold some kind of intimate magic,” she says.  “This next one, on Monday, will be a special celebration of the newest addition to my team of believers…”  If you haven’t already, reserve Monday, May 24th and catch one (or both!) of Maya’s two shows at The Blue Note.  For table reservations, visit  http://www.thebluenote.net

New Management and Marketing/PR Firm — “Active Immediately!”

Maya is thrilled to announce her new partnerships with Blue Note Management and Precision Plus Communications.  As one of Blue Note Management’s artist clients, Maya joins an estimable roster of musicians that include McCoy Tyner and Jonathan Batiste. Blue Note has been responsible for Cassandra Wilson’s career and success in recent years.  Precision Plus Communications, a NYC-based marketing and public relations firm, will bring all of Maya’s recent advances in humanitarian outreach into focus.  Both companies will make 2010-2011 extra special for Maya and her fans!

Contact Blue Note Management: Christian@bluenote.net

Contact Precision Plus: media@precisionpluscommunications.com

Cry Love Release Date and Purpose Music Group

Purpose Music Group is familiar to many fans of Maya Azucena: they released Junkyard Jewel and Maya’s Taste This! mixtape.  In light of Purpose’s new partnership with E1 Distribution, Maya is in negotiations with them to release her long-awaited full-length follow-up Cry Love.  “I’ll take this moment to thank George Littlejohn and Russell Johnson of Purpose Music Group for all they’ve done for my career,” Maya says.  “We have plans to continue our business relationship and are in negotiations for the release of my new CD, Cry Love, on PMG for early-2011.”

Tour with Gibonni

Croatia loves Maya Azucena and thanks to Croatian superstar Gibonni, audiences are seeing more of Maya in 2010 than ever before.  Since March, Maya has joined Gibonni onstage for their six song collaborations at a number of his concerts, with sold-out audiences tallying in the range of 10,000.  Following her recent Shop in Zagreb cover story, Maya will return to Croatia to continue as Gibonni’s special guest throughout the Summer, to support Gibonni’s new Toleranca CD.  “The sports arena shows in Croatia this year have been stunning, powerful, and emotional,” Maya enthuses.  “There is always a sense of relief from each audience, as if they’ve been waiting for inspiration.  Croatian fans have been especially responsive to my presence this year.  The love is overwhelming.” 

Gibonni’s fan club adopted Maya recently paying tribute to her with a special YouTube montage “THANK YOU” for all of the shows she did in Croatia:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOR3Y_3zQHo

Ireland and Damien Dempsey

Maya followed her appearances in Croatia with a stopover in Ireland, where she wrote a song with popular Irish singer-songwriter, Damien Dempsey.  They also remade his hit, “Not On Your Own Tonight,” produced by Ivan “Ive09″ Katz.  (Stay tuned for details about its release.)  “Damien Dempsey is sincerely one of the most inspirational artists I’ve ever come in contact with,” says Maya.  “This message is too short to express his force, but if you have a warrior spirit, you will understand him!”  Maya encourages you to check out the title track to Damien’s latest CD, To Hell Or Barbados.  It’s about the slave trade that sent 50,000 Irish men, women, and children to Barbados and Jamaica between 1652 and 1659. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLLH1i5_LlQ&feature=relate

4-24-10

Last night at the sports arena show in Zagreb, and the night before, and in Osijek after crunching out the bottom of my soul on the song Posoljeni Zrak, the band plays Libar. And then, I am overwhelmed with thanksgiving for the joy, for the blessing, for the privilege to be here doing what I love sincerely. Thanks to God for all the people I get to embrace thru music.

To be before thousands of souls all singing, waving and listening in unison – it is a shared experience.  It is not lost on me.  Woe to the artists who have lost the ability to feel that.  Honestly, no matter what your background is; no matter what job position you hold; no matter your class; we all hurt, we all need love, we all want to be reminded of both.  For me, music is one of the tools that “reminds” us of our past and future without politics.  It can speak in a place within the soul that words alone cannot achieve.  Trust me, the most hateful person still bows head to some song in their life.

Blessings to Croatia, Burma, Sri Lanka, China, Brooklyn, San Fran, Honduras, St Louis….all those unexpected places that heard my message and shared their pains, triumphs and moments with me.

ZAGREB THOUGHTS 4-16-10

It is odd how technology is affecting my way of thinking.  On the road, preparing to do shows in Croatia, I find myself attempting to figure out how to describe my experiences in 45 letter/2-sentence phrases – because, as we all know, you can only put that much on Twitter or Facebook status.

I’m staying in a three-bedroom apartment rental in Zagreb.…  On one hand, life in former Yugoslavia is far from the War.  It is sort of embarrassing and ignorant when people ask me “Is it safe?” “Isn’t there a war over there?”  The war has long been over, and people here are just like you and me, working hard, drinking after work to DJ’s, and raising kids.  They go to concerts, they get pulled over by the cops for speeding, they read gossip rags, etc.  However, the War was less than 20 years ago, and the Cities carry the memory of loss in them.  Staying here, in a modern apartment with its crisp black and white décor, it interests me that the souls of refugees linger.  And such is being on the road.

I just figured out how to use the touch-screen electric stove to heat water and poured the simmering water over instant coffee I bought in Beijing.  This is how explorers carried traces of their discoveries with them along their trails.  I am an explorer in my own way, and I just brought my instant coffee hand delivered from China, into the Croatian hotel. 

Yesterday, in the tiny airport of Zagreb, I saw several African men standing together with….musical instruments!  I’ve come through this airport almost 20 times over the past 3 years, and usually I am the only person of color in sight.  Automatically, I begin to smile and then can’t help myself.  “What do you guys play?”  (Honestly, I’m not sure they even speak English.)  One guy comes close and says “What?”  “What do you play,” I say again (slowly this time)? “We play music, we have a show, tomorrow, at Aquarius.”  I’ve been to Aquarius a few times and it’s a great spot for live shows.  I’m sold, and it will be one of my days off.  “What’s the name of your band?”  “Femi Kuti.”  FEMI KUTI, as in Fela’s son; As in, one of the best shows you’ll ever see live and I am so happy and excited!  I’m going to go enjoy Nigerian freedom music in a club in Zagreb tonight.  These are the joys of being an explorer.

TNJ Achievement Award: “40 Under Forty”

For the past 13 years, The Network Journal (TNJ), a black professionals and small business magazine, has honored “40 Under Forty.” They have selected me as one of their 2010 honorees! According to TNJ, “winners of this prestigious award are chosen from nominations received by the 40 Under Forty Review Board…(I have) been selected for (my) outstanding achievement, contribution, leadership and influence in the corporate, non-profit, public of entrepreneurial arenas, along with (my) service to the African-American community.”  I do take the business of being an entrepreneur seriously, but haven’t assumed that the business world itself has noticed. As an artist, it is truly an honor to be acknowledged by a non-music industry source for both my business and the community work I have done and continue to do in my career. I’ve been told that I am only one of five artists who have ever been selected for this list since its inception. The award ceremony will take place on Thursday, June 17 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Times Square.

 MDGFive.com & CHANGE.org Contest

The MDGFive.com project, the brainchild of Emmy-winning filmmaker and fellow activist Lisa Russell (Not Yet Rain), won third place in the Women’s Rights category of the “Ideas for Change in America” contest sponsored by Change.org. As you may know, the United Nations enacted Millennium Development Goals (MDG) to end world poverty by 2015. “Maternal Health” is #5 of the 8 goals. Unfortunately, Maternal Health has had the least amount of progress and attention since 2000 when the MDG’s were created, so the UN is making a special effort to make progress in this arena.  Lisa enlisted me as her partner in constructing a MDGFive.com, which will be “an interactive website that will utilize cutting-edge, user-friendly technology to make global artist’s songs, poems, and film footage available in 30-60 second clips to be ‘mashed-up’ into custom Public Service Announcements by website users. This, in turn, can be used to raise awareness and resources for Women’s Maternal Health Needs, both within international communities and before policy makers.” Visit http://www.mdgfive.com for more details on this very important initiative that I am proud to be working on with Lisa. CONCERTS (Upcoming and Select Recap):

Hearts of Gold Benefit Performance (May 5) 

I am thrilled to announce that I’ll be performing at a benefit for Hearts of Gold on May 5th. Hearts of Gold is an organization that serves homeless (and formerly homeless) moms and children. The festive evening, which coincides with Cinco de Mayo, will launch Hearts of Gold’s newest initiative, The Thrifty H.o.G. It’s a thrift store that will sell vintage and modern clothing, fashion, and home accessories. Revenue from merchandise sales will be allocated for Hearts of Gold’s various programs. Also on the bill: Rodney Kendrick & Rhonda Ross, Shonari Edwards, and The Masters School Jazz Band. Tickets available at www.heartsofgold.org

Wölffer Estate Vineyard Performance in The Hamptons (April 2) 

The folks at Wölffer Estate invited me back to perform at their “Candlelight Fridays” series on April 2 after me, Christian, and Ivan entertained nearly 300 wine-tasters in January! Once again we got amazing press coverage in the three biggest local newspapers. Long Island’s NPR station (88.3 FM Peconic Public Broadcasting) also spun four cuts from Junkyard Jewel that morning on Bonnie Grice’s Eclectic Cafe show. It was just as packed as January, except this time it was warm enough for people to listen from the outside patio. I think it’s safe to say we’ll be back soon! 

Nona Hendryx & UnFiltered Music Series (March 25) 

Nona Hendryx invited me to host her monthly UnFiltered Music Series at S.O.B.’s on March 25th. I’ve performed and hosted at pervious UnFiltered shows but this one was extra special. I incorporated a song about sunshine between each act — “Let the Sunshine In,” “Everybody Loves the Sunshine,” you name it! The talent on that stage was remarkable as I introduced Res, Russell Taylor, a duo called JohnnySwim, and Nona herself, who performed with Felicia Collins from the David Letterman Show. I was especially moved by JohnnySwim — Amanda Sudano is one of my new favorite vocalists. Turns out that Talib Kweli, Ben Taylor, and John Forte were also in the house!

 Brooklyn Philharmonic Performance with Elan Vytal (March 14) 

On March 14th, I had the pleasure of performing at the Brooklyn Museum with DJ Elan Vytal and a quartet from the Brooklyn Philharmonic. Elan’s in the process of creating a “live” children’s book called The Prospect Bear. It’s almost completed and we debuted two excerpts from the book with the quartet. More information forthcoming soon! RADIO AND PRINT:  

Ini Kamoze-Maya Azucena Duet on Sirius XM! 

Big Up Radio called “Rapunzel,” my rack with renowned dancehall artist Ini Kamoze, “glorious.” Sirius XM must think so too — it’s now in heavy rotation! You cannot mistake that man’s voice: remember “Here Comes the Hotstepper”? His “World-A-Music” was also sampled on Damian Marley’s “Welcome to Jamrock.” We had a blast working together. 

Shop In Zagreb (Croatian Style Magazine) Cover Story 

Shop In Zagreb, a Croatian style magazine, will feature me on the cover of their first hard-copy issue! This week, I’m headed to Croatia for the magazine’s launch party promo event. http://www.shop-in-zagreb.com.hr/NEW INTERVIEW LINKS: 

Soul Discoveries 

“Maya Azucena Interview 09mar10″  http://souldiscoveries.wordpress.com/2010/03/09/maya-azucena-interview-on-facebook/

Icon Americana

“Style Profile — Maya Azucena” http://www.icon-americana.com/2010/03/style-profile-maya-azucena.html 

Hue Knew It

“Get Glammed Up With Maya’s Beauty Faves” http://www.hueknewit.com/journal/2010/3/16/get-glammed-up-with-mayas-beauty-faves.html

Fame Games Radio (ABC Radio Networks) 

“Why Isn’t She Famous Yet?”   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u7ybJgWcMw

So I stick by my theory that if you don’t see me (or hear me) it means I’m working. This past week I was in 4 countries, and still did 4 shows in New York City.

Interesting highlights from the past 2 weeks include:

YKASEC: I sang at a gala for this Korean National Organization for Human Rights, named YKASEC. They are so amazing because, they not only focus on Korean-American issues, but rather, reach across the board to assist with issues of human rights and social justice for people of all persuasions. This is probably a reason why they have been successful for so long - in existence for 24 years - and why their network is large and convincing. It was a moving night that rejuvenated me. And then…I suddenly found myself in a Korean Karaoke bar in the heart of Flushing, screaming Bon Jovi and Madonna at the top of my lungs. I did this only because the President of YKASEK is so charming and insisted that I join the after party. Gam-be!

CULTURE BANDIT SOUL: Once again, we found our experiment to be a success! Vanessa Hidary and I were embraced by another standing ovation at our last production. The night had some new elements including, projections of images throughout the show, the addition of a spoken monologue by me, and humanitarian outreach. To see this very special theater piece grow, is beautiful. Of particular note, we are happy to say that our fans helped to raise over $800 for Voices UnBroken. The money was raised that night by individual donations and the silent auction of a painting by Josana Blue. Our first featured nonprofit, Voices UnBroken, is an organization that provides creative writing workshops for underserved youth, including those who have fallen into the jail system. We give thanks to all who have shown enthusiastic support, and are looking forward to our next event in February. One fan wrote: “My friends and I were blown away by the deep cleansing the ladies and the band brought to all of us…Reminds me of the sixties:-)”

SLOVENIA: So, you know I am in this ongoing love affair with Eastern Europe. I mean, who can help it? They treat me like a Queen and keep asking me to come back. I have to give a moment of props to Gibonni. He is a magical artist that has surrounded himself with phenomenal musicians. They are dope. I mean that by NY standards! Gibo has been a generous super star for 20 years and manages to connect in a personal way with his audience, no matter how large. One of the most connected concerts I sang with him was in front of 20,000 fans. It is hair raising to hear thousands of fans sing every single word, of every song, at the top of their lungs. It goes to show you, that the spirit is not about the size of the room, or how loud you talk, but rather that there is something real being exchanged. Slovenia is a neighboring country to Croatia. We had two concerts there last week in a very cool theater about the size of Town Hall in mid town Manhattan. I get exhausted sometimes, and being there in a strange place because of music, reminds me that I’m alive. Let me give you links to check out what’s going on out there on that side of the world. LIVE FOOTAGE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kRH3nkEASM ,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5VQFil9kos&feature=related ,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giS2Ungzr0E&feature=related

MELVIN VAN PEEBLES FOUNDATION: I almost forgot! On Friday, me and a small version of my band performed at the high society benefit for film maker, actor, activist, trendsetter, Melvin Van Peebles. His foundation sponsors assistive education for inner city youth to help them determine career paths. The event had a juke joint theme and took place at The Player’s Club in Gramercy. The antique townhouse had an intimate crowd of guests including Terry McMillan, Lisa Ortiz (producer of Monster Ball), Victoria Rowell (The Young and the Restless), etc. I was decked out in an original dress designed by Raphael Huggins for Raphael 6. I witnessed them raise at least $10,000 for the cause.

INFINITE FAMILY: On Monday the 17th, there was a wonderful benefit to raise awareness and funds for youth in South Africa. The New York-based organization connects AIDS and HIV-challenged teens in South Africa with international professionals and individuals through Internet mentoring. The sponsors become face-to-face mentors through web cam technology. My acoustic trio performed, adding musical motivation to the crop of supporters. I saw one auction bid for $18,000! That was just one. I am so blessed to be asked to sing at events that make a difference in the lives of youth.

NEW CD: Its coming along! We went in and did most of the background vocal overdubs a couple weeks ago. Thanks Pete Miser, I know still owe you money…..umm…does it help to know that other people owe ME money?

WHAT’S NEXT:
Newark NJ. December 5th. Key Club. 8PM. Maya Azucena concert. Host and guest performer Luquantumleap.

Detroit MI BAYBEEEE. December 6th. 1515 Broadway. 9PM. Other performers include Amp Fiddler, Soul Tree and Sparrow.

I just forgave you the other day. It took me a long time. In fact, I had nightmares for over 4 years after leaving. They were dreams replicating my past, and in my dreams you’d make me go back…to being trapped, again. You would not allow me to be happy, again. I would be sequestered away, again, in a cycle of promises met with stabbed dreams. My heart was an exposed, ripe fruit looking to love, and you pierced it…No, you stabbed it, violently, with a knife that hurt much worse than the actual knives you used on me. So, I forgave you, finally, the other day…as I walked up to my house. I remembered the way we would schlep back and forth through the backsides of Brooklyn. Any loud noise was cause for you to jump flat to the ground, or duck behind a car, or into a doorway. For years, we anticipated the confrontation with Death. Death stalked you. But I forgave you in the recent moment when I remembered to ask what kind of trauma must have visited your life, such that a common walk down the block was always pregnant with imminent death. And I shared this weight of paranoia with you, back then, because I loved you and believed you. Saw the betrayed little boy in you, and I remembered him recently when I forgave you finally. Poor boy.

I in fact forgave you many times through the years we were together. You did unthinkable things, then after hours and hours of a cyclical argument and physical battle, with no foreseeable resolve, you would melt to your knees and grab me desperately around my legs like a child and beg me. Tell me you love me. You’d promise to kill yourself if I left. You’d tell me you needed me. And I was strong enough to stay, to endure just one more try. Every round, I became colder and colder. I believed you less. Your promises were empty tools for manipulation. I developed the cold violence that you taught me. I thought about murder and death too often. The switch ultimately flicked off, then I could forgive no more. I was so immersed in the reasons why you did those things to me. I failed to acknowledge that a “reason” and an “excuse” are two different things. Your reasons did not earn you an excuse for your actions. Why is it the person I loved more than anything, hurt me more than any one? You took full advantage to trap me, steal me, rape me, hurt me, and expected me to be strong enough for our code of silence. And you know what? I WAS strong. I am strong enough…But after years, I said to myself “I know you can take it, this you’ve proven, but WHY?” Why, did I fall for the lies so many times? My heart – she is too deep. I saw past the hurt you caused me into the eyes of a child, hurt and scared, and I believed in you for both of us. I believed in you. I wanted to raise you from your grave. I wanted to bare all burdens, because I could. My Self has such a natural resource, and you tapped it, almost dry - almost dead. You…almost…used me up.

God renewed my fires every night and every day. Once, my knees buckled under your world, and the world we created together. You prodded me like a cow, to the very edge of myself. And that final delicate nudge toppled me, pouring over the edge, and I melted onto the wooden floor into a ball. Rolling back and forth on the floor, I cried and cried from deep – weeping that pulled up from another world - wells tapped from the core of the core of me, and it sprung up in helpless yelps - shivers rocked me as my threads unraveled and snapped. I cried and I laughed hysterically. Yes, I understand now what that means – Helpless hysterical laughter. Maybe my own spirit understood the absurdity of it all, because I wept and laughed deeply from some place beyond the me I knew. You were the Chinese water torture; you were my prison sentence; You were my demon; You were the one who drew out the impurities, and I faced the darkness. I was capable of the task. I, a lover of Life and People, met the Me who could…almost…kill. And you were the button to it all. Congratulations.

I always had the infinite goodness and resource of strength from God. As I lay melted in a puddle, on my floor, with all the bones within me severed….I no longer had the personal strength to put one minute in front of the other. And in that ball on the floor, I felt a grace come over me. I felt the distinct sensation of being embraced, as though huge wings folded over me, and cupped me up, and brought me back all the love I had bled over time. And the love of my God restored me to peace…the peace of a child, of a little baby knowing it’s mother’s love. So, I forgave you the other day because I let go of those nightmares, and saw the human in you again, but I fear you will always deny the truth of your actions and how you tried to destroy me once, when all I wanted to do was to love you.

CULTURE BANDIT SOUL: a Powerful night of Word, Soul,

and Hip-Hop to Strings

Dynamic Indie Soulstress MAYA AZUCENA and Compelling Actress/Spokenword Artist VANESSA HIDARY (aka The Hebrew Mamita), fuse their Arts in the next installment of their highly celebrated CULTURE BANDIT SOUL at the ZIPPER FACTORY on Wednesday November 12^th.  Art exhibit at 7:00PM/Performance at 8:00PM Sharp. Tickets $20. 336 West 37th Street, NYC.  Reservations 212.352.3101 
 
Clips from Vanessa Hidary’s critically acclaimed solo show, “Culture Bandit,” along with new and familiar poems (as seen on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam), are interlaced with songs of Grammy-acknowledged Maya Azucena from her critically acclaimed CD, “Junkyard Jewel,” and a beautiful quartet of Strings, Guitar and Percussion.   
  
The diverse duo come from different backgrounds and experiences, yet prove that the soul can connect across cultural divides.  The result is a journey into Cultural observations, Hip Hop, Relationships, Humor, and Life.  It will stir your soul. You will laugh to tears, and feel the need to celebrate your own journey of life.  All this, while supporting a cause!  A silent auction will raise funds for a community nonprofit organization. 
 
Each presentation of Culture Bandit Soul will raise awareness and funds around a humanitarian outreach; have a special performing guest host; and will feature an art exhibit in the Lobby/Lounge!  November 12th’s exciting line up includes guest host poet/activist Caitlin Meissner; art exhibition of works by painter and clothing designer, Josana Blue; and a focus nonprofit organization, Voices Unbroken. (Read below for details)!  The following presentation will happen on Thursday, February 5^th, with guests to be announced at a later date. 
 A SILENT AUCTION of “Jazz Curtain,” a painting generously donated by Josana Blue, will help to raise funds towards supplies and workshops for up to 400 youth who experience hands-on programs through Voices UnBroken.  We decided to make the painting available to our fans by allowing them to make early bids on MySpace.  (”Jazz Curtain” is 26 x 30″ in the frame ).

Make your bid now! The final bids will happen at the CULTURE BANDIT SOUL event this WEDS NOVEMBER 12TH. For advance bids starting now, post your bid as a COMMENT to MySpace.com/MayaAzucena . You can see the image in the profile, as well as previously placed bids, then post your own.  The night of the show, we will close out the final bids.  Our highest bidder at the end of the night takes home the piece, while 100% of the proceeds will benefit Voices UnBroken participating youth! Great news is, the Voices UnBroken Board of Directors will match all donations made for the night.  So, if you bid on “Jazz Curtain,” or contribute any amount in donation for Voices UnBroken that night, your $1 will be worth $2 in terms of supporting the youth! 

Please come and contribute your love and support.  Your support is worth twice as much on NOVEMBER 12TH.

Voices Unbroken is a Bronx-based non-profit organization dedicated to providing under-heard members of the community – primarily youth ages 14-21 – with the tools and opportunity for creative self-expression.  Through creative writing workshops in group homes, residential treatment facilities, jails, juvenile detention centers and various other alternative and non-traditional settings, Voices UnBroken nurtures the inherent need in all people to tell their stories and be heard.  It is our belief that this claiming – or re-claiming – of stories leads to individual and community growth and change. 

LEARN MORE: www.VoicesUnBroken.org

CULTURE BANDIT SOUL:      MORE BIO DETAIL: 
 Vanessa Hidary (player 1) borrows from her one-woman show that chronicles her life as a New York Jewish teen coming of age during the Golden Age of Hip-Hop, and her dedication to fostering the understanding and friendship between people of all races. Her candid story is told with humor, and will remind any audience member of their own youthful journey through insecurities, love-gone-awry, and struggles with identity. From Hip Hop Festivals to Synagogues Vanessa has traveled the world performing her works on diverse stages and varied audiences. She has recently began running Racism and Poetry workshops with B’nai Brith organization, and directed alumni of Birthright Israel Organization in a production of personal stories written about their first visit to Israel and Jewish identity, in a show called Birthright Israel NEXT Presents: Monologues. 
  
Maya Azucena (player 2), a Brooklyn native of mixed heritage and hardknocks, tells her story through dynamic songs of life, faith and celebration.  Maya Azucena comes across both as vulnerable and almost superhero-like in the portrayal of her songs, fusing genres of Soul, Hip Hop, and Folk.  She represents survivors of all makes, and those that embrace their own power to overcome struggle.  She just recently had a US State Department sponsored concert tour of Asia (Burma, China, Philippines and Sri Lanka) under THE RHYTHM ROAD: AMERICAN MUSIC ABROAD program.  The goal of the tour was to promote cultural exchange within countries that have limited interaction with Americans.  Maya and her band have performed at dozens of benefits including the Save Darfur Rally on Washington’s National Mall, and Hope Night, an event produced by Maya last year to raise awareness of Domestic Violence. 
 
Both women are forces to be reckoned with in their business, and have each felt compelled to cross the divides of culture and take on people of all backgrounds, finding common ground in individual souls.   
  
Caitlin Meissner (host), the Albany, New York raised, Brooklyn based artist is an extraordinary poet, performer, educator and graphic designer.  Using her background in visual art, anti-racism work, disability advocacy and youth empowerment, her poems are visually rich testaments to the complexities of the human spirit. As a performer, she has featured for the progressive literary collective louderArts; Opened for the acclaimed Page Meets Stage series (with Thomas Lux); Shared sets with musicians such as Immortal Technique, Grandmaster Caz, Boot Camp Clik and many others; And has performed on countless stages- from street corners to Columbia University, from Ghana to the famous Nuyorican Poets Café in NY, and Rikers Island, including a recent tour throughout the San Francisco Bay Area in September of 2008. 
  
 

Josana Blue (guest artist) is a painter, clothing designer, and life-long artist with a diverse range of gifts. She is a self-starter who uniquely integrates all artistic mediums. Josana’s work, which is based on female subjectivity, is surrounded by elements of the city, music, dance, love and fashion. Her noticeably distinct painting style consists of abstract linear figures painted with a brilliant and chic color pallet. Josana’s one of a kind custom fashions range from screen printed t-shirts, kids clothes and accessories to hand sewn evening wear and party dresses. Her work epitomizes the elegant bohemian.
Voices Unbroken is a Bronx-based non-profit organization dedicated to providing under-heard members of the community – primarily youth ages 14-21 – with the tools and opportunity for creative self-expression.  Through creative writing workshops in group homes, residential treatment facilities, jails, juvenile detention centers and various other alternative and non-traditional settings, Voices UnBroken nurtures the inherent need in all people to tell their stories and be heard.  It is our belief that this claiming – or re-claiming – of stories leads to individual and community growth and change.   
 
The Zipper Factory is in fact a renovated Zipper factory that features theatrical productions in addition to a concert series. It’s a superb 199 seat venue for performers and audiences - amazing sightlines, great sound, and unusually comfortable seats (most of the seats come straight out of automobiles!). 

Learn more about the featured artists and organizations:  
www.HebrewMamita.com  
www.JunkyardJewel.com.   
www.VoicesUnbroken.org.   
www.MySpace.com/CaitlinMeissnerPoetry

www.JosanaBlue.com 
www.TheZipperFactory.com

Posted April 22nd, 2008
Last Friday we had the opportunity to experience an unbelievable day of live music. American soul singer Maya Azucena and her band conducted a workshop and performed at the Yunnan Arts University in Kunming. They are currently on the Rhythm Road Tour, which is organized by Jazz at Lincoln Center and sponsored by the U.S. State Department, and will travel to four countries in just five short weeks. Kunming was the band’s fourth stop in China alone. Despite the dizzying schedule, both the workshop and the performance were flawless.

The workshop was fun, engaging, and, though the auditorium was full of music students, it was accessible to people from all backgrounds. Each band member showcased their unique talent by demonstrating different genres of music from reggae to blues to drum & bass. Audience participation was the centerpiece of the workshop. Keyboardist Bruce Mack took everyone through a vocal a warm-up, drummer Ivan Katz showed how to play along with a sampler and then the band rocked with a student drummer; they even had the entire audience singing, clapping and stomping out a groove. Maya and the band were elated and the students were thrilled. I couldn’t help overhearing the whispers behind me of, “This is so much fun!” and “The band is so good!” Check out highlights from the workshop.

Following the afternoon workshop Maya and the band returned to the university in the evening to give a full concert. After attending the workshop and listening to their latest album Junkyard Jewel continuously for several days, I was really excited for the performance. Needless to say, I was blown away. Maya’s voice is divine and all of the band members are truly gifted. When Maya sang “Still Searchin” I honestly got chills and guitarist Christian Ver Halen’s strumming out “Hallelujah” was just beautiful. The best part was that all of the energy that the band was putting out, the audience was giving right back. They were clapping and cheering, making up their own lyrics and singing along, and rushing to the stage to give Maya flowers. The show was a huge success; the fact that the band gave two encores says it all. Check out highlights from the performance.

Performances and cultural exchanges like the Rhythm Road Tour are very meaningful to Chinese musicians. Outside of Beijing and Shanghai, there are few venues that support live music (specifically pop, punk, metal, Hip Hop and soul). Going to a performance usually means attending a music festival or a large concert in a giant stadium. Tours by foreign musicians also often hit the big three cities: Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Consequently, musicians and audiences in second and third-tier cities do not get the same exposure to foreign musicians. So having the opportunity to attend a performance, learn about music production and jam with the band is invaluable. Interaction with other musicians is vital for honing skills, expanding knowledge, and staying motivated. Maya’s workshop and performance certainly helped students progress towards these goals. If you doubt the affect of these exchanges, check out the end of the workshop video and look at the huge smile on student Wang Jie Chao’s face as he talks about singing in the cipher. Once he found his groove, there was nothing else, only the music. I think that’s pretty powerful.

~ Angela

Link to her blog and to footage on Chinese version of Youtube:
http://www.dongting08.com/2008/04/maya-azucena-performs-in-kunming.html#link