"Music brings people together, and art in general. But today the main word is "divide". We are divided by social issues and different points of view on social media, creating an amplificated hate effect. And it’s sad to see this happening inside the worldwide blues community too."

Luca Giordano: Let's Talk About The Blues

Guitarist, bandleader,…

"It’s always the People who decide on the shock music has in our everyday lifestyle. Today it’s impact is with rap and dance: “let’s get loose man…tomorrow may not be there again”. The music is much more physical than cerebral. The body is rolling loose. Sex is the epicenter. I would like to hear a fairer repartition of both."

Nirvana: The Music Bliss of Mind &…

"Lafcadio Hearn’s legacy in terms of race and social consciousness is demonstrating the need for tolerance of people of different races, nations and religions. And not just to tolerate them, but to learn about them and get to know them as fellow human beings. He also displayed the importance of helping those in need."

Steve Kemme: Lafcadio Hearn's Open Mind…

"Music’s impact on anything, is to connect us to the essential nature of ourselves; our freedom; our unique sovereignty as Human Beings. True love, is the ultimate ‘revolutionary’ act/choice. Unconditional love."

Brandon Ross: Global Music Roots

Brandon Ross is an American avant-jazz guitarist, composer, band leader, vocalist, and…

"If you put something of a high enough quality out into the world, there WILL be people out there with whom it resonates. That can lead to a wonderfully symbiotic relationship with people and places you would never have otherwise encountered."

District 97: Expect The Unexpected

Chicago prog rock band District 97 will be releasing a new live album…

"Believe in yourself and pursue music and not fame."

Joe Macre: American Garage Dream

Joe Macre is best known as the original bassist for the progressive rock band “Crack The Sky”, whose debut was voted album of the year in Rolling Stone Magazine and is still included in the top 50 progressive rock albums of all time. The new release from Joe…

"I think, Beat Generation therefore jazz, the Village Vanguard a famous jazz club that was there in the Village, it was right across the corner from then Café Au Go Go, so, they were there first. And then came my generation, the generation of singers-songwriters. We were reading a book, wrapped up in that. That’s revolution of consciousness. We just didn’t concentrate on having a house and a washing machine. It was very inexpensive at that time and…

"The blues began as the "other side" of the coin so to speak...it was like a gut punch to the man about the pain our Black Brothers and Sisters were feeling out in the fields of cotton and other Big money crop of the day...but it isn’t always sad mad or mean but it is 100% REAL... And even can bring a smile or Joy to the heart of the Listener..."

Joe Lewis: On "A Mission From…

"Regarding my music and social implications… one track on Joy Machine is called "The Longing Song”, which is about the children we locked up in detention centers on the Mexican border. But it's set in the future, and the children are all grown up...and how lost and troubled they have become, and how we are also in fact lost, for letting such a thing occur. Nels Cline of Wilco is a guest on this track. It's really powerful."…

"Music unites people of all races, genders, religions… and I want my music to give people whatever they need when they put on my record, If they want to dance, I want them to dance, If they want to cry and let their feelings out I want them to do that. I want it to be whatever they need it to be for them at that moment."

Casey Hensley: Speaks to People's Soul…

"There is a wonderful quote from the great writer and poet, Ralph Waldo Emmerson, who said “In the woods we return to reason and faith”. For me there are no more truer words. Being in nature as much as I am provides a balance in my life."

Chuck Leavell: The Trees & The Music Man

Chuck Leavell, whose piano…

"I think It's the other way around. I write as to what is going on. I don't think music performs to the times. Then the impact is made. Hopefully joyously, or deeply with good intention. Non-Violent, but with passion."

Trevor B. Power: The Real & The Truth

Trevor B. Power’s love of music flows from his very roots. Many childhood days and…

"The blues is a type of music that is able to communicate with people and that excites in a very simple and direct way. Especially after this difficult moment, the blues and music in general will help people to rediscover the joy of being together, being close and getting excited. I think blues is perfect for this. There is clearly also a more social interpretation of blues music. A music of struggle and revenge. Personally, it allows me never to forget the…

"I wanted to make people realize that, under the skin, we are all the same: "If you prick me do, I not bleed?". The blues springs from human experience: that experience is common to us all, black or white. It is an expression of hope and I hope it helps to end racial prejudice."

Dave Thomas: The Blues Spirituality

Dave Thomas is the…

"Music, especially if we are to consider music without lyrics, does not have a political agenda, does not speak to race or class nor is restricted by language.  In that sense it communicates the human experience in the most profound way, connects us together as one species, and in that commonality, proves that we all want the same basic things for ourselves. We need to operate from that sensibility."…

"I believe music has the power to uplift the spirit and that’s the energy I want to impart. There is a little part toward the end of the title song “Sundial” that everybody I’ve played it for smiles when they hear it. It’s a combination of the background vocals swelling up against the major chord and the lead vocal… I live for that!"

Carl Verheyen: The Joy of Music…

"Jazz of course has been associated from the beginning with an oppressed underclass, and has played an important role in the struggle for civil rights here in the U.S as well as inspiring other people around the world in their quest for equality. The greatest musicians have a way of reaching all kinds of people, regardless of background, through the fundamental humanity in their sound. This inspiration can be an important force for positive social change I…

"Know yourself. Yes. It's the same thing. Be yourself, knowing yourself, ultimately. And then what is that? What does that mean? You know that, and you think it is simple. Well, it is not that simple, but it's the most powerful and potent, that's what we're here to do, to be absolutely ourselves. And by being ourselves, we come to know the world."

Joy Harjo: Muscogee…

"Music and Art are visual and audio forms of expression that can have a great impact on the racial, human rights, and socio-culture implications which can motivate people to come together for the common good and send a message that is time for a change for equal rights, whether it be fund raisers, or petitions for new bills of legislature. There is only one race the human race."

Paul & Katie…

"I think the people who love Blues and Jazz in Europe are really in love with the music, the feeling and improvisation, and the story behind it is just a background for them."

Amaury Faivre: Je Souis Blues

French bluesman, Amaury Faivre is a singer, a guitarist, and, above all, a brilliant harmonica player. Amaury is an…