A dear friend of mine was in the Peace Corps In Sierra Leone and invited me to sing in celebration of the 50th Birthday of Mama Salone as well as the return of the Peace Corps alter the ravaging war that plagued their country for so many years.

I was blown away by the beauty of the people, the sweetness of the children, and the power of the land. I was also very impressed with the wonderful work of the organization Friends of Sierra Leone as well as the US Ambassador, Michael Owens.

Their dedication created a school for hundreds of children who otherwise would not have had that opportunity and I was blessed to sing at the opening. The children and parents and elders and chiefs from every surrounding chiefdom were present to see the cutting of ribbons, pouring of libation , performance of song and dance, and most importantly, writing with chalk!

As you may or may not know, I have been traveling throughout out the Middle East for the past several years working with Iraqi and Palestinian refugees, and it is anexperience that has changed my life.

I now know that being a global ambassador is my calling and I am looking forward to this event! The show is called No Place Called Home with stories from the Iraqi refugee perspective performed by actress Kim Schultz to music I composed from our journeys together. Hope to see you there!

Remember these wonderful children?

Bus Rides and Song, Iraqi Voices Amplification Project

Between that trip and now, I visited China, Taiwan, Cuba, Palestine and criss crossed the US (West to East and from Florida to NY) getting to experience the capacity of music to obliterate divisions and to heal so many wounds. I have found true communion with so many whose lives seem burdened and incapable of grace. I am continually amazed and grateful to all of those that I have had the pleasure to meet along this musical journey — all of whom have left an indelible mark on my soul.

Tonight in conversation with my dear friend Fred Johnson I finally get to start sharing all of these experiences.  http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5456/c/479/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=24489

Of course, what most excites me is the opportunity to begin rendering the precious musical inspirations that this rich stew of experiences has given me and of course to share with as many people as possible.

In upcoming posts I will continue to share my music, photos and experiences. In the next few weeks I will be providing the musical underpinning to No Place Called Home, the Off-Broadway depiction of another IVAP colleague’s experiences from our trip. #mce_temp_url#

— Finally, please remember that since 2006, an estimated 2.2 million Iraqis have fled their country, living as undocumented migrants abroad – unable to work, access health or social services, or obtain an education for their children, with another 2 million displaced internally – a result of the U.S. military intervention in Iraq.