photo by Dylan Walters
Amaloboozi means “voices” in the Luganda language.
One of my personal missions is to record the voices and instruments of people I meet in the many parts of the world that I visit. Those recordings will be used to create CDs that will be sold to directly benefit organizations doing humanitarian work in those regions. This is my little way of using what I know best, music, to give back to the people I learn so much from in my travels and percussion studies.
Phase One of that mission is my recent 2-week trip to Uganda (Oct.25-Nov.8), where I recorded more than an album’s worth of music performed by youth choirs in two villages, as well as a variety of musicians in the country’s capital, Kampala. Through fundraising, all trip expenses and product duplication costs were covered in advance so that 100% of the sales from the resulting CD will directly benefit Ugandan children via Show Mercy International, based out of Albany, Oregon.
After landing in Uganda and meeting friend/videographer, Colin Crowley (currently living in Nairobi, Kenya), my first stop was Gganda Village, to record a number of youth choirs comprised of primary students that Show Mercy supports with their many housing, water, food, education and medical programs. SMI, founded by Mike and Lori Salley, is an incredible organization that I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know over the last year. They are doing some amazing work; I am excited to have this project benefit the children in their programs and equally excited to bring the sounds of those children’s voices back to share!
The entire trip was full of generous people providing opportunities to record all sorts of incredible music. Crane Performers, Street Voice, students at Kampala International School, students at Wobulenzi Town Academy, Janzi Band . . . some choirs, some traditional songs, even some modern pop originals!
Upon my return, it was down to business listening/editing/mixing with Jason Carter at Wavelength.
As of December 15th, Amaloboozi has officially been released!
The CDs are now available- click here to get your hands on a copy and support the children of Gganda Village!
Many thanks to everyone for all of the donations, support, time, assistance, generosity, thoughts, prayers and beautiful music.
- Mark Powers