THE CONGO SQUARE PROJECT FOUNDATION
CD A: " Sacred Ground " + CD B: “ Saints at Congo Square "

Soon to be followed by DRUMMERS UNITED ( with a little help from our friends ) Volumes 1 & 2

The televised images of Hurricane Katrina’s catastrophic impact will be remembered by the entire world for years to come. The storm, one of the deadliest natural disasters in US history, deeply affected a New Orleans’ musical community that had already suffered from decades, if not centuries, of neglect on the part of politicians and top government officials.

At that time, LA session drummer Fabian Jolivet had already began recording two albums of instrumental music entitled “The Electroroots Project” for Standard Music Library ( UK ). This project included a tribute to The Crescent City, a drum suite, to be called CONGO SQUARE, also featuring friends & fellow trapsmiths Clem Burke (Blondie ), Don Heffington ( Lucinda Williams ) and Stephen Hodges ( Tom Waits ).

Before the project was completed, Katrina had hit The Gulf Coast with devastating force. The terrible flood and lack of response from the local and federal authorities deeply touched the life of many people. Including those living on the other side of the country, witnessing the tragedy unfold from a seemingly comfortable distance.

“ DEEDS NOT WORDS, that’s the title of that great Max Roach record, isn’t it? ” Fabian asks. “ See, I truly believe in the message this sorcerer of the skins sent out to all of us, that NOW is the time for everybody to act. To finally help re-build this amazing community that influenced the entire world. After all, we are talking about thee cradle of modern music.“

We all know that without Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Buddy Bolden, King Oliver, Sidney Bechet, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Alvin Batiste, Fats Domino, Dave Bartholomew, Smiley Lewis, James Booker, Professor Longhair, Earl King, Dr. John, Irma Thomas, Ernie K Doe, The Meters, The Neville Bros, the many amazing Mardi Gras Indians and street players, the music world will not be the same.

Percussion legends such as Baby Dodds, Big Sid Catlett, Zutty Singleton, Paul Barbarin, Joseph Cie Frazier, Vernell Fournier, Dave & Frank Oxley, Smokey Johnson, June Gardner, James Black, Uncle Lionel Batiste, Charles Honeyboy Otis, Earl Palmer, John Boudreaux, Bob French, Freddy Staelhe, Uganda Roberts, Bunchy Johnson, Lady Tambourine, Zigaboo Modeliste, Johnny Vidacovich, Herlin Riley, all paved the way for the rhythms that we all groove to in today’s world.

“ Do you really think that Little Richard, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, Charlie Parker, James Brown, The Beatles & Rolling Stones, even Led Zeppelin would have sounded the way they did without the Louisiana influence? I don’t think so. It’s a fact that the world is a better place thanks to New Orleans. Now, I ask: Is New Orleans better off thanks to the rest of the world?“
In the current violent planet that we live in, I believe that we ALL need to help one another, plant a little tree here & there. Even little people like me can make the BIG difference today and tomorrow. A smile here, a donation there, even opening a door to a stranger or letting in a driver in front of you when you traveling to your job, it all adds up.”

THE CONGO SQUARE PROJECT is a massive double album that traces the evolution of the African music that was later brewed in the heart of the city during the 1700’s. Recorded with a modern day Alan Lomax production approach. It moves your body & soul, at the same time that it feeds your mind. It has all the necessary New Orleans musical gumbo ingredients that made The Crescent City famous. Including those ( often overlooked ) important contributions made by Native American tribes, and the European, Caribbean & Mexican influences that soon followed.

The First CD: SACRED GROUND, opens with an Orisha blessing ceremonial introduction, conducted by African Yoruba Priest-Master drummer Ayo Adeyemi ( Babe Olatunji ), plus a sensational piece performed by Brazilian great Airto Moreira ( Miles Davis ). Followed by an array of musical pieces and grooves that include the dance of the Bamboula, Street Musicians, Secondliners, Dixieland, Bucket Players, Congo Square Drummers, etc…

This side closes 300 years later, with The Revend Lois Dejean’s Gospel Choir emotional rendition of “ He knows how much we can bear “. Showing us that the city’s African descendants, regardless of the many hardships, have always remained together throughout their difficult history, thanks to their loyalty to this strong spiritual music brought from their ancestral land.

Today’s NOLA realities: “ Drummer Dinerral Shavers was shot & killed just after Christmas while driving with his wife & child. So, his group, “The Hot 8 Brass Band” has played yet another Jazz Funeral in New Orleans. The third time in the band’s history that they have played a funeral for one of their own band members.”

Yes, social neglect is a direct cause for violence in one of the cities that was most responsible for the immense financial and musical wealth of this country. The lack of response and proper care and the careless and criminal mishandling by the country’s authorities during this recent tragedy is only the latest slap on the face on a long string of bad experiences endured by the people of New Orleans.

The Second CD: " Saints at Congo Square " reflects the projection and impact that this music has made. It starts with the magnificent " Shubaum ( the Soul of India ) " recorded in Calcutta by tabla virtuoso Tanmoy Bose ( Ravi Shankar ) & bengali singer Idranil Sen. This opera like concept album also takes the listener through a music journey that includes the superb AfroCuBop piece that gives the album it's title, performed by latin jazz leader Francisco Mora Catlett, featuring Sun Ra's protege Marshall Allen on sax. A fitting tribute to Congo Square & Lois Armstrong, dedicated to the great Max Roach.

Followed by a string of sharp Beat poetry pieces performed by, amongst others, John Densmore ( The Doors ); Chuck E .Weiss ( Tom Waits ) and Gord Downie ( The Tragically Hip ). All linked to a series of eccentric and exciting timpani, marimbas, tap dancing, vibes, hand and drum set solos performed by thee best in the world. Completed with a magical list of numbers that include a historic NYC session led by the ever so soulful Levon Helm ( The Band ) and friends: Steve Jordan ( Keith Richards ; Hubert Sumlin ( Howlin' Wolf ); Danny 'Kootch' Kortchmar ( Carole King ); Larry Campbell ( Bob Dylan ) and Teresa Williams ( Levon Helm Band ).

It was recorded in LA, New Orleans, Boston, NYC, Woodstock, London, Bath, Barcelona, Paris, Berlin, Calcutta, Montevideo and Buenos Aires.

Featuring compositions by Pow Wow, North Lakota, Seminole Maroon & Mardi Gras Indians. Performances by classical composers from The LA Philharmonic & The Scala de Milan.

Already includes Ayo Adeyemi, Louie Bellson & Chester Whitmore, Airto Moreira, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Earl Palmer, Herlin Riley, Jimmy Cobb, Earl Palmer, Ira Coleman, Warren Bernhardt, Joe Morello, Clayton Cameron, Peter Erskine, Ndugu Chancler, Levon Helm, Steve Jordan, Hubert Sumlin, Danny ‘Kootch’ Kortchmar, Larry Campbell, Teresa Williams, Sam Carr, Joel Polluck, Souhail Kaspar, Richie Hayward, Santa Davis, Keith Carlock, Richie Morales, John Boudreaux, Issam Houshan, Washboard Chaz, Pernell Saturnino, Francisco Mora Catlett, Marshall Allen, Terri Lynne Carrington, Uncle Lionel Batiste, Benny Jones Snr., John Richardson, Jerry Jumonville, Joseph Uganda Roberts, Willie Cole, Frank Oxley Jnr., James Gadson, John Boudreaux, Smokey Johnson, Luther Gray & Bamboula 2000, The New Birth Brass Band, Michael Tempo, Professor Joseph Mitchell, Ruben & Cougar Estrada, Simon Kirke, Andy Newmark, Clive Bunker, Chuck E Weiss & Don Heffington, John Densmore, Hani Nasser ( Etheridge Knight ), Gord Downie, Johnny Vidacovich, Stanton Moore, Freddy Staelhe, DJ Bonebrake, Willy Munoz, Hugo ‘Foca’ Machado, Silvio Massimo, Queen Cherise Harrison-Nelson & Big Chief MarKeith Tero, Johnatan Mover, Michael Tempo, Pete Lockett, Tanmoy Bose, Jim Keltner, Phil Bloch, Evelyn Glennie, Bill Bruford, Doane Perry, Michael Shrieve, Stephen Hodges, Barry Altschul., Dr. Lonnie Smith, Javon Jackson, Greg Skaff...

Soon to be followed by contributions by Dr. John, Ray Cooper, Charlie Watts, Jab’o Starks, Cassandra Wilson, Clyde Stubbefield, Michael Giles, Mitch Mitchell, etc…

We are planning on leaving four albums behind that will fully benefit these great charities: The New Orleans Musicians Clinic; The Mardi Gras Indians Hall of Fame; The Reverend Lois Dejean’s Youth Assistance Foundation; Sweet Home New Orleans; The Congo Square Drummers & The Preservation Hall Foundation, etc…

Neither me personally, nor any of the musicians included will ever receive any future financial benefit from this multiple charity project. The income generated from anything related to THE CONGO SQUARE PROJECT FOUNDATION will solely benefit the charities involved in re-constructing the city of New Orleans. We have ALL united for them in this good cause. It’s a humble tribute to the musicians that we love so much. I sincerely hope that the many donations, volunteers, powerful documentaries, and all the big and small musical contributions currently taking place will help some of those in need.

They need to know that they are NOT alone, that we truly care for them. As Nathan Chasing Horse ( Medicine Man, North Lakota Nation ) said: " LISTEN WITH YOUR HEART "

Fabian Jolivet
(drummer-producer )
 

CONGO SQUARE (NYC sessions) "The East Coast Gang" (Levon Helm, Hubert Sumlin, Steve Jordan, Danny 'Kootch' Kortchmar, Larry Campbell, Teresa Williams, Niko Bolas, Artie Smith)...

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