The Daniel Pearl Foundation welcomes R.E.M. as a new honorary committee member.
Los Angeles – July 8, 2005 – The Daniel Pearl Foundation announced today that R.E.M, one of contemporary musics most influential groups, has joined the Honorary Committee for Daniel Pearl Music Days 2005, a global network of performances to be held October 1-10 under the theme Harmony for Humanity" (www.danielpearl.org).
Inspired by the life of slain journalist Daniel Pearl, a talented musician who played with classical, folk, bluegrass and jazz groups wherever he traveled, Music Days began in 2002 as an international jam session" to commemorate Pearls birthday and his belief that music is a language that knows no boundaries. In 2004 over 400 concerts in 39 countries – professional and amateur – participated in this international phenomenon (www.music-days.org).
We are excited to be working with the Daniel Pearl Foundation and its diverse Honorary Committee for their annual Music Days events," said R.E.Ms lead singer Michael Stipe. We celebrate and support the Foundations mission of promoting cross cultural understanding by connecting people through words and music."
The Daniel Pearl Music Days Honorary Committee spans a wide variety of musical genre and includes Sir Elton John, Hamza el Din, Herbie Hancock, Yo-Yo Ma, Ravi Shankar, Salman Ahmad, Yefim Bronfman, Ida Haendel, Herbie Hancock, Tania Libertad, Yo-Yo Ma, Zubin Mehta, Itzhak Perlman, -Mohammad Reza Shajarian and John Williams. With the addition of R.E.M., whose latest album, Around the Sun, is being enthusiastically received on a current world tour, the Music Day committee expands its outreach to fans of alternative rock.
There is no fundraising or financial obligation to participate in Music Days," explained Judea Pearl, father of Daniel Pearl and president of the Daniel Pearl Foundation. Musicians can dedicate a song or full concert, a DJ can dedicate a radio show; an orchestra can dedicate a performance, single composition, or open rehearsal; a youth group can perform at school or a sports event – the possibilities are endless."
For 2005, Daniel Pearl Music Days will expand its reach by introducing Harmony for Humanity" e-Stage, a web-based collection of selected words and music inspired by the Music Days 2005 theme. A dedicated internet radio station will play original songs and compositions, as well as other related music and suggested song lists. The Daniel Pearl Foundation welcomes contributions of music, lyrics, poems and related articles for possible use on the Harmony for Humanity" e-Stage.
To register a new Music Days 2005 event, or to dedicate an already scheduled performance, please visit www.music-days.org. To submit original music, poems, articles and suggestions to the Harmony for Humanity" e-Stage, please visit www.music-days.org/estage.
Daniel Pearls murder by terrorists in Pakistan in 2002 touched millions who never knew him. By developing innovative international programs focused on journalism, music and respectful dialogue, the Daniel Pearl Foundation seeks to counter the hatred and intolerance that took his life. For more information please visit www.danielpearl.org.
Contact:
Rochon Perry
Black Ink
415.346.7329
415.336.1487/cell
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