Playing for Change

Playing for Change is a multimedia movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music. The idea for this project arose from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. No matter whether people come from different geographic, political, economic, spiritual or ideological backgrounds, music has the universal power to transcend and unite us as one human race. And with this truth firmly fixed in our minds, we set out to share it with the world.

"Don't Worry" is the first original Song Around the World featured by Playing For Change. It was written by Pierre Minetti in Barcelona, Spain and speaks of the unity we all share on this planet. As the song states: "Let's don't worry my brother, in this world we are all the same, we must find peace..." This video features over 20 musicians from 4 continents who had never met in person, but are connected through the message and the music.

While filming in Durban, South Africa and in the nearby township of Umlazi, our guide was Bekhani Mamela. Bekhani turned out to be one of the most pivotal people we collaborated with during our journey. He is the choir director and founder of Sinamuva, who are featured in many of our Songs Around the World. His arrangement of these songs brought us to tears! He, along with Sinamuva, is a pure representation of hope for all South Africans persevering over darkness with music.

We discovered Roger Ridley performing on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. We asked if he would perform John Lennon's version of "Stand By Me," which would become the framework of our first Song Around the World. We were so blown away by his presence and enthusiasm toward music and his audience that we filmed and recorded his entire set! Roger dedicated this song, "Bring It On Home," to Mark.

This Song Around The World is a folk tune that originated in Chennai, India. We started the track in New Orleans and added musicians from the all over the world before finally delivering it the people of its origin. We ended up in Chennai recording and filming vocals by the Oneness Choir. The result is an uplifting track that has a feeling of perseverance and joy.

As we made our way around the world we encountered love and hatred. We met people both rich and poor, black and white, and from innumerable religious groups and ideologies. Over the course of our journey it became very clear that as a human race we need to transcend from the darkness to the light, and that music will be our weapon of the future. This Song Around the World features musicians who have seen and overcome conflict and hatred with love and perseverance. “We don’t need more trouble, what we need is love.” The spirit of Bob Marley always lives on!

We met Grandpa Elliott on the corner of Toulouse and Royal Street in the French Quarter, his patented spot for performing. However, on this morning, there was some street construction happening which made it difficult for recording. So, we trudged our gear through the streets of the Quarter and found a quiet spot in the famous surroundings of Jackson Square. Slowly people gathered in curiosity and fascination while Grandpa warmed up his voice and before long we were in record and capturing this amazing performance.

While the Playing For Change Band was in Los Angeles, Grandpa Elliott received a special invitation to perform at Dodger Stadium. To open the game, Grandpa played a soulful rendition of The Star Spangled Banner on his harmonica. And then during the seventh inning stretch, accompanied by Louis Mhlanga on the electric guitar, Grandpa gave this inspired performance of God Bless America. As a blind man, Grandpa is not always able to see the joy his music brings to people. This night however, as his last notes were still ringing in the stadium, the sound of tens of thousands of people's vigorous applause brought a jolly grin to this beautiful man's face.

It was a hot afternoon in New Orleans when we first recorded Washboard Chaz in front of the Spotted Cat playing his version of Mystery Train. Chaz and Roberto often played shows together and we thought Roberto's steel guitar would be a great addition to the track. Months later on a return visit to New Orleans, we recorded Roberto on a stoop in the French Quarter. Together they are the Mystery Train moving on down the tracks.

Playing For Change: Peace Through Music is a story of hope, struggle, perseverance and joy. Directors Mark Johnson and Jonathan Walls, along with the Playing For Change team, traveled the globe with a single minded passion to connect the world through music. Their ambitious journey took them from post-apartheid South Africa, through the ancient sites of the Middle East, to the remote beauty of the Himalayas and beyond. Using innovative mobile technology, they filmed and recorded more than 100 musicians, largely outdoors in parks, plazas and promenades, in doorways, on cobblestone streets and amid hilly pueblos. Each captured performance creates a new mix in which essentially the artists are all performing together, albeit hundreds or thousands of miles apart. Playing For Change: Peace Through Music is the story of this unparalleled international musical collaboration and its remarkable power of redemption.

Grandpa Elliott has been delighting New Orleanians and tourists alike with this song from his regular perch at Toulouse and Royal for years. He begins this song the same way he always has, but when the rest of the PFC Band joins in at the first chorus, you feel it in your chest! This is the first live performance song by the PFC Band we have posted for our community to enjoy. It clearly conveys the energy and love this amazing group of musicians shares with their fans each time they perform. We hope you'll join us for one of their shows soon, so you can experience it in person!

The act of playing music with people of different cultures, religions, economics and politics is a powerful statement. It shows that we can find ways of working together and sharing our experiences with one another in a positive way. Music has the power to break down the walls between cultures, to raise the level of human understanding. In the spring of 2009, musicians from all over the world, most whom had never met in person, came together on stages across America to share their messages and inspire audiences with their musical collaborations. In this video youll see these incredible musicians performing Songs Around The World together live for the first time.

The Playing For Change Foundation (PFCF) is thrilled to announce the opening of their first music school, the Ntonga Music School, in Gugulethu, South Africa! Located just 30 minutes outside of Cape Town, the school will provide the children with valuable skills development and mentorship designed to instill self-esteem and confidence. From basic music reading and writing to performance and production; the Ntonga Music School will provide a safe, creative outlet for the children while connecting them to other students around the world through music. It is the first school of its kind in the area and will be a source of great pride and inspiration for years to come.

We recorded this uplifting, joyful song during one of our travels through Spain. We had just finished a magical shoot with a percussionist from Ghana named Malik, and were hanging out at our good friend—and location manager—Brian Heinen’s flat in Barcelona. At some point Clarence joined us, and introduced us to his friend Hugo Soares from Angola. In true PFC spirit, what began as an organic acoustic jam slowly transformed the atmosphere into a truly special experience. And so... we grabbed our cameras and recording equipment so we could share the experience with you.

Beginning in the Fall of 2009, Playing For Change Family members around the world will be hosting “Peace Through Music Parties” in their hometowns. These parties will be taking place in living rooms, community centers, on college campuses, and more—all to share the message and the music of the documentary film, Playing For Change: Peace Through Music. If you are interested in hosting a Peace Through Music party, keep us informed as we want to see your reactions, responses, discussions or performances. Check out the suggestions below and don’t forget your camera. This global movement to connect the world through music has been built upon the grassroots organizing of people just like you— together we will change the world!

Grandpa Elliott has been closing our shows each night of our fall 2009 tour with a powerful rendition of "Amazing Grace." His performance is so beautifully soulful that words don't do it justice. Fortunately, we were able to film it at the Orpheum in Boston, and are excited to share it with you here.

This is a fun glimpse inside the 'backstage' life of the PFC Band. Grandpa blowing a classic, hyper tune with his harmonica, our crew setting up the stage and the rest of the guys, and ladies (Titi and Erika), playing games and enjoying each other's company. Enjoy!

Kotini Bernard Shinga leads the group Phekama Africa, which means, “Rise up."

One of Titi Tsira's originals, this song tells the story of a young woman who must overcome her fears and tell a young man that she loves him.

We met Robert Bradley while shooting our first film, "Playing for Change: A Cinematic Discovery of Street Music." Robert is originally from Detroit, Michigan, but we filmed this song in Los Angeles in front of a Playing For Change graffiti wall painted by a local artist. We had just finished a take of Robert singing "Playing For Change Blues," a song we created while filming across America, and were beginning to interview him. All of a sudden he started speaking the lyrics to this song... We immediately grabbed another mic for his guitar, plugged it directly into the camera and asked him to perform it for us. Enjoy!

After meeting Afro Fiesta a few nights earlier in downtown Cape Town at one of their gigs, we set up a time to shoot and record some of their songs outside. We all met up and were excited to record but once Mark started testing his equipment, he realized the car battery we were using to power the gear was dead. Now what? Fortunately, the band's manager had just rolled up in his SUV, so Enzo had the idea of using the battery inside the vehicle! About 15 minutes later, we had power and were rolling. "Equal Rights" was the song they had sound checked with. We loved it so much that we asked them to perform it again-- here it is!

We recorded this original song of Jason Tabma's in a small studio in Cape Town, South Africa. Mermans Kenkosenki harmonized with Jason to give the song a beautifully rich feeling. And PFC Band anchor Louis Mhlanga tied the whole track together with a light and effortless guitar that made this track one of our all time favorites. We hope you enjoy it! Below, Jason shares the lyrics and how he came to write it: Nda (or wenda) means ‘Go’ in Kinkongo. In 2002 I left my home country Congo DRC in search for a better life and the possibility to support my family. Afraid to never see my family again I was in doubt to leave. It was my mother who convinced me to go and this song is about her words on the last day that I saw her. The first part of the song was written in Kikongo and the second part in Lingala. These are both languages from Congo. Her last words supported me through my years in South Africa. After 8 years I hope to see my mother again this year.

The Playing For Change Foundation is building a new music school in the Village of Kirina, Mali. Kirina is a village of musicians, some of whom can trace their musical ancestry back over 75 generations! In this very special episode West African music legend Baaba Maal and friends perform for the village elders in honor of the new "Playing For Life" music school that is just beginning construction.

While recording in Barcelona, the PFC crew heard some amazing music coming from the roof of a building. Curious, we hauled our gear upstairs and were greeted by a Brazilian party! Together we all enjoyed an afternoon full of music and dancing, food and amazing energy! We are happy to share the experience through this song!

Grandpa Elliott has been playing on the streets of New Orleans since he was six years old and it is time for his music and passion to meet the masses. Playing For Change recorded his album, Sugar Sweet, throughout the 2009 Playing For Change Band North American Tour. It all started one evening at a barbeque when he began tapping his foot, slapping his hand against his knee and singing, “Your lips is so dog gone sweet to me, baby I’m afraid, if you kissed the ocean it would turn to lemonade…" I remember thinking we could not get to a studio fast enough!! I love this man with all my heart for his soul, sweet voice and power of conviction. He performs each song as if it was his last and puts every ounce of his giant heart into every note. Check out the album, support a great performer, and let’s teach the world that some of the best music we have ever heard comes from the streets!!! From the people, for the people. One Love, Mark Johnson

Featuring special performances by Ziggy Marley and Toots Hibbert (of Toots and the Maytals), this new chapter in Playing For Change celebrates the journey of musicians from across the globe as they jump on our tour bus and take the show on the road. This project was filmed in Madrid, Los Angeles, Vancouver and Glastonbury, and has been a long time in the making-- we never imagined that we would experience so much music, love and laughter. Join us in celebrating the Playing For Change Live experience, a global voice with One Love. This is YOUR family!!

This amazing song was recorded live at the Commodore Ballroom in Vaoncouver, British Colombia on November 19, 2009. It was just released as part of the PFC Band's Live CD/DVD, which is a must-have for all PFC fans! This song features verses by Titi Tsira, Mermans Kenkosenki, and Jason Tamba (who sings in Ngala!), plus a guitar solo by Louis Mhlanga that dares you to blink! If you like this song, be sure to check out the rest of the release!

The PFC crew picked up Blind Boy Paxton at his school in Manhattan, then we all took the subway to the park. We were planning to add him to some of our new Songs Around the World. While we were setting up the mics he began warming up on some of his favorite songs from childhood-- one of which was "Mole in the Ground." We loved it so much we just had to record it, and we are excited to share it with you here! Dados cartográficos ©2011 Geocentre Consulting, MapLink, Tele Atlas - Termos de Uso

Whenever the Playing For Change Band takes the stage, there is always a tremendous amount of love and energy in the air. For this very special performance it was even more palpable, as the band was joined by many of our friends featured in our various Songs Around the World: Tula's amazing vocals, Roberto Luti playing the National steel slide guitar, Francois Viguie on the bongos, Stefano Tomaselli on the sax, Venkat playing the tablas, and the beautiful choir vocals of Sinamuva. This performance served as a powerful milestone in the evolution of Playing For Change. Seeing so many talented musicians from all different cultures and walks of life united on stage for this very special night was a physical manifestation of our mission: to connect the world and bring peace through music.

While on our journey of recording and filming musicians in Brazil, someone told us that all we needed to do was "shake a tree, and musicians would fall out like fruit." That couldn't have been more true. It was one of our last days in Salvador da Bahia when we discovered this band, Sangue Brasileiro. Wow! They are super fun and I guarantee you will want to dance to this jam and smile at the screen. This song, "Samba de Viola" is a true reflection of the Samba music that is the pulse of Brazil. This performance truly embodies the Playing For Change spirit, and the band's musicianship is incredible! Enjoy!

The PFC crew had just wrapped up a long production in Kathmandu, Nepal and Dharamsala, and our crew was splitting up-- Mark, Kevin, and Jeremy were heading back to LA, while Enzo and Jonathan were continuing on to India for more recording. Enzo had been telling us about an amazing musician who lived in southern India named Rajesh Vaidhya, a master of a large stringed instrument of the sitar family that is native to that region called a "veena." A few weeks later back in LA, Jonathan and Enzo shared what they had recorded with the rest of the crew, and no one could believe their eyes-- let alone their ears! This song became an instant favorite among all of us, and we are very excited to share it with the world.

In the Fall of 2009, Toots Hibbert (of Toots and the Maytals) joined the PFC Band for an unforgettable show at Club Nokia in Los Angeles. He referred to the PFC Band as "The Big Bad Band," and they definitely lived up to the name! We spend much of the year traveling; meeting musicians and learning the customs of communities all over the world. This night in Los Angeles however, it was a real joy for us in turn to welcome our friends and family from around the world to our home, and to celebrate our connection through music together. And it is now as great a joy to share this connection with you! If you love this song as much as we do, it is available for download here. Thank you for supporting this global movement of music!

The Playing For Change crew first met this unbelievably talented musician by a happy coincidence eight years ago. Mark Johnson, Jonathan Walls and Whitney Kroenke were heading to New Orleans in search of musicians and inspiration, and long-time friend of the project Keb' Mo' offered to put them in touch with someone. When Mark dialed the number Keb' Mo' had given him, an Italian man answered. He told Mark that the person he was calling for was on the road with a band, but that he himself was a street musician in New Orleans and would love to be involved in our project. In the eight years following that initial conversation, Roberto Luti has become one of the musical pillars on which Playing For Change has been built. We hope you enjoy his hauntingly beautiful slide guitar on this soulful piece. And if you ever find yourself in Livorno, check to see if he is performing-- it's an experience you wouldn't want to miss!

In the Summer of 2009 the Playing For Change Band headlined the World Stage at Glastonbury Festival. For that performance, the PFC Band was larger and more diverse than ever before, welcoming back Francois Viguie, Roberto Luti, and Stefano Tomaselli as well as special guests Tinariwen, the Omagh Community Youth Choir, Vusi Mahlasela, and more. The show served as a tangible reminder of what is possible when cultures come together through art and inspiration. For the band, the crew, and the audience it was an unbelievably moving experience, and now we are thrilled to be able to share a bit of it with the world! This song is available as a bonus feature on the CD / DVD release Playing For Change Live, or as an individual digital download.

In the beginning of 2010 the Playing For Change crew began work on a new Song Around the World, John Lennon's "Imagine." It has been an amazing year of production, taking the crew from the favelas of Brazil to the shrines of southern India, from villages in Nepal to the glittering urban landscape of Tokyo and New York, and beyond. This song is the Playing For Change Foundation's gift to the world. The Playing For Change Foundation feels honored to have the blessing and generous support of Yoko Ono as music lovers around the world join together to launch the Power to the People campaign. The campaign seeks to advance John Lennon’s vision of peace by engaging artists and audiences to contribute to music education programs worldwide. Proceeds raised will help build music schools, support teachers and music programs, purchase instruments, and connect schools for cross-cultural learning and conflict resolution across borders. Music IS the power: Power to the People.

This video is available in English, French, and Spanish, and was made possible by the hard work and dedication of the Playing For Change Foundation, and through the support of the Playing For Change Community. One Love! Our friend Mahamadou Diabate, brother of famed Kora player Toumani Diabate and a wonderful musician in his own right, approached the Playing For Change Foundation about the possibility building a music school in his native country of Mali. Thanks to his help and guidance, PFCF broke ground on its third music school on the African continent this year: Ecole de Musique de Kirina (Music School of Kirina). The school is located in the village of Kirina, approximately 25 miles (40 km) south of Mali’s capital city, Bamako. Kirina is a Griot village without any electricity, where the inhabitants live in humble straw roofed houses made of bricks that have dried in the sun's heat. The Griots play an essential role in Malian culture: they are the keepers of oral history and traditions, passing them on through music and poetry. The school will help the people of Kirina preserve and share their musical traditions, which have been slowly disappearing due to lack of teaching resources. The school opened its doors in October of 2010, and now offers classes in kora, djembe, balafon, and voice, as well as a workshop to teach the building and repair of traditional instruments.

In this track musicians around the world unite together with Bob and Stephen Marley to sing a song of freedom-- join us on this journey through time and space! This is the first release from our new album, "Songs Around the World part 2," which drops in May; click here to pre-order your copy today. Thank you for your continued support of this global music movement!

We first met Clarence Bekker in Europe 5 years ago while we where filming and recording "Stand By Me." We became instant family and have been making music together ever since. This song is one of his original compositions, and we are excited to share it with the world!

It has been four years since the Playing For Change Foundation was created. PFCF broke ground on its first school in Gugulethu, South Africa in the Spring of 2008. Today the foundation is operating seven programs in five countries!

It was a hot day as usual in Bamako, Mali when the PFC crew met Tinariwen, a group of Tuareg blues musicians, in front of a downtown club. We walked around the neighborhood together, looking for a good place to film and record. Luck was with us and we soon found a nearby yard with a large tree for shade. The next thing we knew the music started playing, children gathered for their own personal concert, and we all transcended to a place with no time, no fear, and no difference between us.

We started this track in West Africa with a musical group named Tinariwen. We asked them to play a groove in the key of G, then as we traveled the world we added more musicians to the song. Over the course of our travels it transformed into a global jam with its roots in the blues.

We spent all of last year traveling the world, growing the family and creating PFC 2, a collection of 10 new Songs Around the World (audio and video) including over 150 musicians from 25 countries. Click here to pre-order your copy today! Check the PFC 2 Album Trailer. These videos open the door and we all walk through together. Music is our ammunition!

This video is the first track on our new album, PFC 2 – Songs Around The World, coming May 31st!! (click here to pre-order) We begin the journey in West Africa, in the ancient village of Kirina, Mali. The instruments start to play, and we hear the familiar words “don’t worry about a thing, every little thing is gonna be alright.” This timeless message invites us on a musical journey through time and space. Together we continue to connect the world through music.

“Gimme Shelter” is a track that we have wanted to record for years, and today we can finally share it with you. This song expresses the urgency we all face to unite together as a planet, and offers us wisdom with the words “War, children, it's just a shot away... Love, sister, it's just a kiss away.” It really is that simple. This track is the latest song from our new album, PFC 2: Songs Around the World. You can order your copy here.

Mark once asked Roger the question: with a voice as powerful as his, why was he singing on the streets? He replied, “I am in the joy business. I come out here to be with the people.” Roger and Grandpa have brought so much joy to the lives of millions, and in this song we are blessed to see them reunited again. We all shine on, and Roger’s light is as bright as the sun!! This song is available on our new release, PFC 2, check it out!

We are proud to share this original Song Around the World, that takes us on a musical journey from Brazil to India. Get ready to smile, dance, and feel the love of the world uniting through the power of music. Satchita is featured on our new CD/DVD, PFC 2. Please share this video with everyone you know, and together we will change the world one song and one heart at a time!!