Concert In Memory Of Daniel Pearl In Lafayette Oct. 23

Temple Isaiah will host a special concert in honor of the 10th annual Daniel Pearl World Music Days (www.danielpearlmusicdays.org) to be held Sunday afternoon, Oct. 23, 2011 at 2 p.m. at its hilltop sanctuary in Lafayette. Admission is free and open to the public. Temple Isaiah is located at 3800 Mount Diablo Blvd., with its entrance on Risa Road.

To commemorate the October birthday of journalist/musician Daniel Pearl, who was abducted and killed by extremists in Pakistan in 2002, musicians of all genres will participate in concerts worldwide and use the universal language of music to spread a message of hope and to unite people across geographical and cultural borders in a quest for a better world.

The October 23 Lafayette concert will feature performances by an array of artists of different musical styles, as well as remembrances from friends who knew Pearl. Performers include Vocolot (www.vocolot.com), the award-winning women’s a cappella ensemble; Rivka Amado (www.rivkamusic.com), a talented singer of Ladino music – the songs of the Jewish Spanish tradition; Gerry Tenney & the Lost Tribe, bluegrass; Robbie Dunbar, multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter; Edo Castro (www.edocastro.com), bassist, composer, and recording artist with Passion Start Records; Michael Tobin, San Francisco singer/songwriter who co-composed several songs with Pearl; and Michael Gill (http://www.therecordlabel.net/progressive-rock/michael-gill), pianist and composer of progressive music.

Also appearing will be singer/guitarists Achi Ben Shalom, Fran Avni, Cantor Rita Glassman and Joel Siegel; guitar synthesizer player Doron Rotem; percussionist Katja Cooper; singer Callie Lou Thomas; and other special guests.

The concert is organized by Michael Gill, a childhood friend of Pearl’s who has put on similar events during the past ten years.  Said Gill, “It is a bittersweet experience to prepare this concert.  It has been ten years since Danny’s passing and he is missed by those who knew him and by people who never met him but were nevertheless impacted by his courage and humanity.  I am honored that so many remarkable musicians will give their time to make the October 23 concert a very uplifting afternoon and I am indebted to Temple Isaiah for hosting this special event.”

The Daniel Pearl Foundation was formed in 2002 in memory of journalist/musician Daniel Pearl to promote the ideals that inspired his life and work. The Foundation is active domestically and internationally to promote dialogue and understanding, to counter cultural and religious hatred, to encourage responsible and balanced journalism, and to promote peace through music.

"At the 10th anniversary of Daniel Pearl World Music Days, we reaffirm our conviction that Danny's music has not been silenced and that, standing united, humanity will triumph and harmony will prevail," said Judea and Ruth Pearl, parents of Daniel Pearl and Co-Founders of the Foundation.

Honorary Committee members of the Daniel Pearl World Music Days include Herbie Hancock, Elton John, Alison Krauss, R.E.M., Yo-Yo Ma, Matisyahu, Itzhak Perlman, Ravi Shankar, and Barbra Streisand among other distinguished musicians.  

For further information about the Daniel Pearl Foundation, please visit www.danielpearl.org or www.danielpearlmusicdays.org. 

  For further information about the Lafayette concert, please contact Michael Gill (mg@maxjas.com), the Temple Isaiah office at 925.283.8575, or visit the event’s Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=282631461749138.