Let's hear it for the latest artists to join us at Hearts & Voices!
Andy Mac - Bowery - Eric Wolfson - Fatman Scoop - Free Radicals - Mario Spinetti - Sonia Montez - Sunshine Lemonade - Theory
Give it up for all the amazing artists who played for us in the last three months
African Drum & Dance - Al Lee Wyer - Aly Panichi - Andy Mac - Ben Godwin - Bowery - Cassandra Kubinski - Chloe - Chris Jones - Eric Wolfson - Fatman Scoop - Free Radicals - Gio Stella - Grace Garland - Illumination Chorale - Imperial Court - Jeffrey Leibowitz - Jill Melanie Wirth - Kierstin Gray - Larry May - Lucinda - Maria Davis - Mario Spinetti - Markeisha Ensley - Michael Ashanti - Michael Butler - NYMVAE - Olivia Detante - Peace of Heart Choir - Seth Rudetsky - Sonia Montez - Sunshine Lemonade - Teri Hayes - Tha Heights - Theory - Tom Boyd - Tony D'Mattia - Voices In Unity
And keep that applause coming for our wonderful volunteers!
Ashley Glasgow - Becca Hewitt - Bronna Leibowitz - Caitlin Deliso - Claudia Herasme - Donna Graham - Emma Benayoun - Hannah Kim - Holly Brown - James Page - Jamie Chan - Janelle Hailey - Janete Scobie - Jen Grossman - Jennifer Myrom - Jennifer Rios - Jessica Hayden - Jillian Bangel - Juana Perez - Julianne Nassi - Levon Ford - Marsha Jean-Charles - Megan Curtis - Nickoleta Lytras - Rachel Kartsonas - Rebecca Love - Stephanie Cone - Stephanie Ko - Tatiana Orlov - Xi'an Glynn
Artist Spotlight- Markeisha Ensley
"I've been performing with Hearts & Voices for a little over a year now", says Markeisha. "It reminds me why I love singing in the first place, to communicate spiritually with other people." And connect she does- with a combination of smooth, soulful vocals, virtuoso piano playing and beautiful original songs.
Born in Lincoln, Nebraska and raised in Colorado, Markeisha’s musical journey began with the church choir at age seven, when she fell in love with the heartfelt richness of gospel music. She also discovered acting and singing (parading around the house belting out tunes from 'Annie') and performed all the way through middle and high school. Later, at NYU, Markeisha discovered a passion for songwriting, spending many long nights in the practice rooms accompanied only by a piano. This investment of time and energy finally paid off in 2006, when Markeisha released her first full length CD, 'Ready'. The disc includes nine original tunes, which Markeisha co-produced alongside talented guitarist, producer, and fellow NYU grad, Adam Parness.
Markeisha was introduced to Hearts & Voices by fellow songwriter Cassandra Kubinski and quickly became a pillar of the program. We asked her to share a favorite Hearts & Voices story; "One time at Housing Works, I had been having a really rough day. The show was fairly small, there were only about five or so people there- but at these shows everyone is just so excited that you're there to sing for them, there's no way you can't be lifted up. Everyone was just in tune, listening and sharing. I think there were a few of us having a rough day, and it was just like family, being comforted. As a musician, you're often so focused on yourself, and this is such a great way to remove that and help other people by doing what you love to do anyway."
Markeisha continues to perform in the New York area, with shows at venues like Rockwood Music Hall and the Bitter End, as well as appearances on Showtime At The Apollo. 'Ready' is out there gaining recognition, with two tracks receiving honorable mentions on the 2006 World Billboard Songwriting Contest, and generating an invitation to play at the next Songwriter's Hall Of Fame New Writer's Showcase at the Cutting Room in June. Fans eager to catch her live should head to her show at Mo Pitkins on 6/27... or volunteer for one of her Hearts & Voices shows!
Markeisha Ensley website
Markeisha on Myspace
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LIFEbeat’s Hearts & Voices program begins its national expansion!
On Wednesday, May 23rd, we made program history by producing the first Hearts & Voices show in Miami! We partnered with an amazing organization called The Center for Positive Connections, which provides educational, emotional, holistic and social support to those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in the Miami area.
The show featured two time Grammy nominated artist Elsten ‘FULANO’ Torres. This artist is a Miami favorite, having been voted Best Local Songwriter and Best Latin Alternative band for four consecutive years in the Miami New Times! Beyond these local accolades, Fulano has also enjoyed serious music industry recognition- his new album, Individual, was nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2007 for Best Latin Pop Album. His song Todo El Ano spent 5 weeks as the #1 song on the Billboard Latin charts in 2005, and was nominated for Best Song of the Year at that year’s Latin Grammys! Check him out at www.fulanomusic.com.
The seed has been planted in Miami and we are very excited to nurture it further. The program will begin with a monthly show with The Center for Positive Connections, and more to come as bridges are built with our new friends in the sunshine state.
Hearts & Voices sends our biggest thanks to everyone who helped make this possible including all of our friends at The Center for Positive Connections, Pharmacare Specialty Pharmacy, Action Public Relations, Bruno del Granado and Mariauxy Castillo-Vitale from MTV Latin, Elsten “Fulano” Torres and LIFEbeat’s staff and Board of Directors.
If you have any friends in the Miami area who may want to be part of this growing effort please let us know! We’ll be working hard to keep it growing, and then beginning to visit other cities affected by the pandemic in the months to come.
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Farewell to Philip Williams
LIFEbeat’s Hearts & Voices program has lost a very dear friend.
It is with deeply sad hearts that we share with you that our beloved friend Phil Williams of the Imperial Court passed away in late May.
For years, Phil has been our contact person and coordinator for the amazing and inspiring shows with the Imperial Court of NY. Phil has worked diligently to produce events that touch the hearts of our audiences as well as staff and volunteers. His dearest friends tell us that Phil was happiest when he was putting on a Hearts & Voices show, and that was crystal clear to our team in the years that we had the pleasure of working with him. Phil adored the opportunity to bring laughter and love to those less fortunate than himself. Phil gave so freely from the heart and was generous beyond measure. Our friend Phil has left quite a mark on this world through his compassion, care and service with Hearts & Voices as well as other agencies and movements he served and supported.
Phil Williams is a true reminder that one person can make a difference in our world. He taught us many lessons and gifted us with cherished memories we will always hold dear. He is loved by very many and he will truly be deeply missed.
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Fatman Scoop
It's always exciting to be able to bring a celebrity artist to our audiences, and they don't get much bigger than Fatman Scoop! As well as his long and distinguished career in the hiphop world, and spinning tunes on Hot 97, Scoop stars with his partner Shanda in 'Man And Wife', the outrageous sex ed / reality / comedy show, online at manandwife.tv.
In front of a packed room at Rivington, Scoop brought down the house with some seriously high-energy hiphop and his larger-than-life vibe. Thanks Scoop- looking forward to next time!
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Independent Music Awards
LIFEbeat is partnering this year with the Independent Music Awards, now in their 7th year. The IMA's are a great way for independent artists to gain exposure and kudos in the industry, and submissions are open until July 27th this year. They're spreading the word about the work that we do here at LIFEbeat- and we know many of our artists are totally award-worthy, so get your submissions in! Click the banner below for full details.
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H&V Fundraisers
Those of you who follow these things will be aware of the gradual power shift towards independents in the music industry. The Internet is empowering independent musicians like never before, and as that happens more and more artists are discovering that important causes like HIV prevention aren't just for the Beyonces of this world. So we're delighted to report on a whole crop of fundraisers that have been organized for LIFEbeat by Hearts & Voices artists!
- The one and only Lucinda rocked the Cutting Room with her band in May. Lucinda's a massive LIFEbeat supporter, even putting our logo and website right on her gorgeous new CD, 'Aquamarine'.
- The Free Radicals jammed all night for the cause at Galapagos Art Space.
- LIFEbeat staffer Ben Godwin made a benefit night out of his 'Skin And Bone' CD release party (which also saw the premiere of his new video, featuring Hearts & Voices audience members!)
- Last but not least Cassandra Kubinski will be making her upcoming CD release party a benefit for LIFEbeat. Cassie's album, 'Hold The Sun' is now available on iTunes!
Organizing a benefit night can be a fantastic way to raise awareness and funds for the cause whilst giving you a whole new way to reach your fans. If you're interested in creating one, let us know!
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After Parties
To celebrate the 15th anniversary of LIFEbeat, we've relaunched our AfterParties series! Back in the 90s we organized over 50 such events with stars as diverse as Sarah McLachlan, Tony Bennett, Jewel, and Busta Rhymes, and now we're back with more good times for the Noughties! The parties are a unique opportunity to meet and hang out with some of your favorite stars, whilst sipping complimentary cocktails in some of New York's most exclusive clubs. And you're making a difference while you party. Pretty sweet, no?
So far this year, we've thrown AfterParties with Third Eye Blind, Lesley Gore, moe., and TONY-nominated Duncan Sheik- and there's more coming- Florence Henderson, MIKA, the True Colors tour (featuring Cyndi Lauper, Erasure, Debbie Harry and the Dresden Dolls- wow!) and Shiny Toy Guns all have parties coming up. More details here- or you can buy tickets from SpinCycle, who are doing a great job of making these things swing (thanks guys!)
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AIDS Walk New York
AIDS Walk 2007 was a wonderful, inspiring day. We had the biggest ever LIFEbeat team, and all walked our 10k in glorious sunshine along with 50,000 other New Yorkers, before retiring to Pieces Bar in the Village for food, drinks, and bingo. The day was not only great fun but a massive success- we more than doubled our total from 2006, raising over $20,000! Congratulations to everyone who walked, and everyone who donated- it's always inspiring to see what the LIFEbeat community can do together.
Special thanks to our Star Walkers - John Cannelli, Amira Eldessoky, Sabeen Pirani, Sonny & Sharron Henning, and Janete Scobie - and most of all to Local Tour Outreach Coordinator, Star Walker and team leader, Rachel Hill, for an outstanding organizational effort!
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Afterword
It's such an exciting time for Hearts & Voices right now. Growing into a national program is a long-cherished dream here at LIFEbeat and we're beyond excited about realizing that dream. And as if that wasn't enough, all the time the New York program keeps on getting better and better! Thanks a million for everything that you do to keep Hearts & Voices beautiful - we have the best job in the world and it's thanks to all of YOU.
Much love,
Aly & Ben
