Rachel Maddow recently posted a story about a confrontation between anti-ICE protestors and the Proud Boys in Atlanta – that was dissipated by tubas! And trombones and saxophones. I love her characterization of it. (The song that they are playing, Bella Ciao, is an Italian anti-fascist song that has become a staple of protests around the world.)
I was particularly interested in this because my late husband, Makanda Ken McIntyre, was selected by the US State Department to be a Jazz Ambassador to the Middle East. After he came back from his tour, he always signed his letters, “Peach thru Jazz.”
So I asked my new friend, ChatGPT, to give me a list of organizations that promote conflict resolution through music. I’ve long been an admirer of Playing 4 Change. Here is a video of musicians from around the world collaborating on Yusuf/Cat Stevens’ Peace Train. (How do they do that?)
However, I was unaware of the other organizations they listed. Here are a few examples: Musicians Without Borders, Hip Hop 4 Peace, and the Western Eastern Divan Orchestra, all of which are doing wonderful things by using different forms of music to promote peace worldwide.
Peace through jazz! (and other kinds of music)