Category Archives: Music Activism

YaliniDream #2 (poet, dancer & activist from Sri Lanka)…who’s she?

Text by Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi

This post by YaliniDream is a must to read for people who have a misconception of how musicians and other working artists make their living. Quote: “Yet, I know too many generous accomplished independent working artists contributing to justice movements who have been performing, painting, filming, writing, composing, creating over decades, who struggle to make even $15,000 a year. I also know too many artists who remain tied to day jobs that mute their light because there is no way they could take care of their child or mother or self on what they would make from their art.”

It’s time that working musicians get together and tackle all their problem as a group. The time has come that all music activists come together and take over “real” leadership as a collective because at the end of the day we all want to drink our Brooklyn Lager in peace. And feeling good about ourselves and loved ones because we got our pay check today. Yes, all the talk is about fair pay!

Text by YaliniDream
Previous Yalindream post: https://doobeedoobeedoo.info/?p=20897 Continue reading →

The Embodiment of The Musical Warrior: My Professional Relationship and Friendship With Sohrab Saadat Ladjavardi…And My Support of His Musical Activism

By Dawoud Kringle

There are times when the Designer of destiny makes a fortuitous decision on your behalf.

Photo by Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi

Photo by Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi

I first met Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi in the lobby of a hotel where a mutual friend, virtuoso pianist David Cieri, was performing. We hit it off immediately; and both knew we’d met kindred spirits. The first time we’d played music together was in Ornette Coleman’s apartment. One of my life’s regrets was that I’d not recorded that session! It was marvelous.

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Hello, hello…No “Justice For Jazz Artists” Press Conference this Wednesday!

J4JAText by J4JA

Dear Sohrab,
We regret to inform you that, due to circumstances beyond our control, our press conference at City Hall has to be postponed.  Because of a major press conference from the Council Speaker, the J4JA press conference will be moved to a later date to ensure adequate time and attention.  We apologize for any confusion, and we will make an announcement as soon as the new date is set.

Music Activism: David Lowery/The Trichordist speaks out

Text by David Lowery/The Trichordist

It’s been exactly two years since I caused a furor by posting “Meet The New Boss, Worse Than The Old Boss?”  I think it’s worth reading if you have never read it.  If you have read it you might want to re-read it and ask: “what has changed and what has stayed the same?”

My opinon.

What has changed?  Hundreds of artists have spoken up demanding that the digital “New Boss” pay us fair royalties.  Artists were able to defeat the misleadingly named “Internet Radio Fairness Act.”  Artists are no long afraid of speaking out.  There is no stigma.   Further there is a new grassroots movement demanding the “Old Boss”  terrestrial radio pay performer royalties.  That’s a first.  See here http://irespectmusic.org/

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