EW
is proud to present MUSIC OF THE DIOLA! Comprised of 18
songs, from 10 unique groups in the southern Senegalese
rainforest, this is the most comprehensive collection
of Diola (ethnic group) music ever produced.
In the
Casamance region of Senegal,
West Africa the local Diola culture and the vital eco-systems
they cherish are at risk. EW Music is the foundation
of a multi-sector strategy to reverse desertification,
combat malaria and assure food security by advancing
economic opportunities that value indigenous heritage.
Through EW Music the people of this region lend their
voices, talent and cultural assets to raise awareness
and funds for locally-based solutions.
EWM
Artistic Director, Tobias Sturmer, tells all in this
(9 min.) interview:
Part
1:
Part
2:
How
EW Music Works
EW-Music offers African musicians the opportunity to record
their music for free.We issue each recorded
artist with a professionally mixed Master CD for reproduction
and a simple cassette cover with their picture and name.
The musicians hold all rights to their recordings for
the African market; they can freely duplicate, promote
and sell their work. EW-Music does not look for established
artists. On the contrary, we offer our services to the
many bands, choirs and individuals who play music to a
high standard in remote areas and who have no means to
record their work. Therefore, almost all the music we
record is traditional. We are interested in collaborating
with skilled musicians on their terms, in representing
their art form to the best of our ability as musicians
and in learning about their music and culture.
From
the many recordings produced, EW-Music selects suitable
tracks for the production of compilation CDs to be sold
in the West. We will adopt different distribution and
marketing strategies depending on the nature recorded
material. Through in-kind distribution, marketing and
volunteer support of professional sound engineers (such
as Erik Krosby (http://www.plazmasound.com/)
EW ensures 70% of income is is reinvested in the region
to create greater artistic and economic opportunities
(see
Where We Work - Senegal). EW-Music also links up
the artists with future promoters in the industry to
help artists reach their full potential and enrich world
musical heritage.
Having successfully produced the most comprehensive
collection of Diola Music ever recorded, EW now seeks
distribution and marketing partnerships to bring this
incredible album to the world benefit local programs
at its source.
EW
launched the African Music Promotion initiative (AMP)
in 2003. Through AMP, we assisted local musicians to reproduce
their traditional percussion album, “Le Bakine”. EW engaged
volunteer sound engineers to re-master these tracks to
enhance original sound. Upon returning copies to the cultural
center in Senegal (where music was originally recorded)
we met a colleague of ethnomusicologist, Tobias Sturmer.
Mr. Sturmer's achievements, passion and vision greatly
enhanced EW goals for AMP. In finding a humanitarian organization
through which he could realize his dream, Tobias has joined
EW's team as Artistic Director
of EW Music. Building on the successful model of Senegal,
EW Music seeks to expand opportunities to grass-roots
musicians across the globe.
