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2008 Plowshares

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Marjory Wilkins photo

One Black Voice performed something new, some borrowed and something not-blue on this wonderful, almost-summer night where a wedding was announced. New was the original song, "All Afrika Will Stand,'' based on an experience at the Cape Coast enSlaved Fort in Ghana. Borrowed was an OBV version of the Bob Marley classic, "One Love.'' And something not-blue was the uplifting OBV original, "Stand Up,'' from the CD, "first words...''

Thanks for singing along everybody!

Kofi

Saturday, May 24, 2008 at Dunbar Center, Syracuse,N.Y.

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Pan Afrique Festival Day

Jacque Kofi photo

One Black Voice proudly joined the celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Organization of African Unity's founding, otherwise known as Africa Day. But the wonderful dancers and spontaneous singers -- all children -- showed everyone how it's done. After all,the theme for this meaningful celebration of unity was "the Pan Afrikan Child." And they didn't disappoint. The event, sponsored by the Pan African Community of Central New York, included games, music, food, storytelling, cultural performances and vendors.

Reclaiming our African Pride Inc. (R.A.P. Inc) was a hit with a long line for hop-scotch, featuring squares for Ma'at (the African ethical principles collectively embracing the values of truth, harmony, justice, reciprocity and Spiritual order), Medu Neter (the Egyptians called their writing, "the words of the Divine''), Ausar (the original name of The God, who is one half of the Supreme Being), Auset (the original name of The Goddess who is one half of the Supreme Being), Heru (the original name of The Child of The Supreme Being), Hetep (Peace!) and more concepts that help us and our children reclaim our African pride-- past, present and future!

For more information on PACCNY, call 315 445-8766, email paccnymail@gmail.com, or visit www.paccny.org . Hope to see you at the next PACCNY event.

Mumbi wa Mugo photo

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One Black Voice at Jazz Central

Opened for internationally acclaimed Ethnic Heritage Ensemble

Have you ever seen one person play two saxophones at once? That's right! Two saxes at once, playing two different parts. Now, imagine that once you pick your jaw up off the ground, you look over and see a trumpet player grabbing a second trumpet and doing the same thing -- playing two horns at once!

But the star of the show is the group's founder, who switches effortlessly from tapping amazing rhythms on three cungas, then a beautifully haunting and frenetic performance on the kalimba, or thumb piano, with a leg rattle keeping sweet time. Then he shifts to some of the meanest modern jazz drumming you'll hear. That's what Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, a pioneering jazz group out of Chicago, did last winter here in Syracuse - at Jazz Central. They celebrated 35years in the business. If you ever get the chance to see this group again, check them out. You will not be disappointed.

Oh yeah, One Black Voice opened up with a 30-minute set of his best, including new songs from his upcoming CD, "Sankofa.'' This self-taught guitarist, who dabbles in keyboards, acoustic and programming delivered the message of unity, Afrikan heritage and the importance of all voices being heard in the struggle. Thanks to Tom Honan of Live Space Entertainment for making that call.