We celebrate and embrace diversity

One of the great things about the “New Nashville” is that the city, it’s stellar pool of musicians and the music they make are becoming more diverse every day. Great players, writers, singers, artists — in many mediums — and other human beings, are moving here from all over the country and world. They bring fresh perspectives, grooves, languages and experiences that add to the already colorful mosaic that is Music City. Here at Local 257, we are excited about this change, and are striving to diversify as the city does, and to welcome new members from all over. And we are creating ways to present the music and vibe that these folks embody.

In the fall we started a monthly World Music Workshop in our Local 257 rehearsal hall, and it’s been very cool and well attended. We’ve presented music from Brazil, Nigeria, Latin America and India so far. All for most of us, it is — but as something we are passionate about, that gives our lives meaning and purpose, and brings an invaluable service to the community and world.

BY WILL BARROW

the presenters have been members, though they don’t have to be, and the events are open to the public. In the coming months, we’ll feature music from Ireland, China, and other places. The workshops will be on the second Wednesday of each month for the foreseeable future, from 6 to 8 p.m., and I hope you can come to one soon.

At one recent workshop, Nigerian Sunny Dada played with his band, AfrokokoRoots, bringing the Afro beat vibe and spirit of Fela Kuti. He also told harrowing stories of imprisonment, violence and traveling the globe playing his music. He believes that music creates and perpetuates healing, peace and unity. And surely, music is what brings all of us together, not just as a vocation — though

Members can partake of the rich musical cultures taking root in Nashville by going out to hear live gigs in the area at places like Plaza Mariachi on Nolensville Road. Plaza presents live music from all over Latin America almost daily, including performances by members like Yamil Conga and Alison Brazil — recent workshop presenters — and Giovanni Rodriguez. Giovanni’s superb Latin jazz group, Doce Manos (12 hands) does a steady Monday night gig at Rudy’s Jazz Room. In this one group, you’ll hear musicians from Cuba, Venezuela, Columbia and the Dominican Republic, and they really bring the “sabor” (flavor)! The Nashville Jazz Workshop also features performances by world music groups, like the one we did there recently with my Brazilian band, Tudo Bem (Everything’s Cool). Those who are interested in Irish music can check out the weekly session at Quinn’s Pub in Franklin, and the regular gigs at McNamara’s in Donelson. Festivals such as Celebrate Nashville present music and dance from places like Africa, Greece, the Middle East and Asia. These are just a few of the places that are featuring live world music on a regular basis, and new venues and events are coming into the mix all the time.

Why world music? Personally, I find that checking out world music has a profound influence on my playing, songwriting, composing and on my enthusiasm for music in general. In it, I find new grooves, harmony, rhythms, instruments, languages, vibes and musical sensibilities. Singing in Portuguese is a different experience for me than doing so in English. Debussy was inspired by the Balinese Gamelan orchestra — he heard and wrote a wonderful piano work, Pagodes, based on it. Burt Bacharach was profoundly influenced by the bossa nova, as was jazz when Stan Getz recorded with Joao Gilberto. The Beatles became intrigued with Indian music and culture, and used the sitar on their records, as did many artists in the 60’s and 70’s.Paul Simon found inspiration in South African music, and some of his greatest work was a direct result of it.

Ry Cooder fell in love with traditional Cuban music, and then did us all a huge favor by bringing us the Buena Vista Social Club record and movie. Great musicians have always embraced music from around the globe. The American history of music, and Nashville’s history as well, are pretty diverse in and of themselves, and yet there is a world of music beyond our shores, and it is vast, beautiful and inspiring!

We love that many of these musicians are coming here, and bringing the vibe and spirit of these cultures, and that many of them are choosing to be part of our musical community at the local. If you meet any of these folks who aren’t yet members, please mention the AFM, what we do for our members, and how much we would love to have them join us. Here’s to the growing diversity of Nashville, its music and musicians and AFM Local 257!