Masai, Kenya with Rick DellaRatta

Rick DellaRatta and Jazz for Peace Return to Africa for a concert to save the Masai Mara

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Dear Friends:

We welcome in the New Year with momentous NEWS!

Jazz for Peace is returning to Africa to perform in concert to raise awareness for one of the most important environmental concerns of our lifetime - the great migration of the Masai Mara.

The Masai Mara National Reserve (MMNR) is a 1,510 km protected area in south-west Kenya. It is part of the world famous Serengeti-Mara ecosystem that covers over 25,000 km2 of Masai land in Kenya and Tanzania. Lying at an altitude of c.1600 m, it is an area of undulating grassland savanna bisected by the Mara River. The Mara River is slowly drying up due to a variety of issues such as land clearing, charcoal industrialization, and numerous other human activities. The continuous damage to this river threatens the migration and the lives of over 2 million animals and according to scientists the continued course of this damage will have an adverse effect on our planet that will be felt worldwide. In other words: "We must act now - before the entire ecosystem is irreversibly damaged " Raila Odinga, Prime Minister, Kenya

For complete details about the problems facing the Masai Mara and its effect on every country on our planet please read this special report by BBC World News - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8057316.stm

In keeping with your commitment to support the most significant and important cultural events, it is with great respect that we ask you tojoin us in support of this cause and the opportunity to "change the world through jazz" (http://www.jazzforpeace.org/im.htm).

To support this event please click here:

http://africa2192011.eventbrite.com

For more information we have attached the most recent cover feature from the Dec. 2010 issue of Jazz Inside Magazine (http://www.jazzforpeace.org/jazzinside.pdf) and the press release below.

Special worldwide thanks and acknowledgment will of course be given to all our supporters. For Recent quotes from President Barack Obama, Dr. Billy Taylor and many, many more please visit: http://www.rickdellaratta.com/quotes.html

For immediate Release:

Debra R. Cerritelli - Jazz for Peace 212-202-0515Nairobi, Kenya On Saturday February 19, 2011 6:00 PM. Jazz for Peace featuringSinger / Pianist / Composer Rick DellaRatta, considered by many to be one of the finest Jazz Artists performing today, will perform a special Benefit Concert forThe Empaash Oloorientito Conservancy Trustin Nairobi, Kenya.

This concert will also raise awareness and address the problems facing the Masai Mara, home to the largest migration of animals in the world.

EOC believes that the region's rich natural resource and cultural wealth can be used to expand cultural and eco-based tourism, and provide a significant economic and social development in the local communities. For more information please visit http://www.empaasholoirienitoconservancy.org/

Having performed with everyone from Dizzy Gillespie to Paquito D' Rivera, Rick DellaRatta is now considered by many to be one of the finest Singer/Pianists performing today and one of only a handful of Jazz Artists who can make a successful musical presentation to a large audience without having to abandon the true art form of Jazz.His unique and original piano playing and composing has been compared in print to Chick Corea, Bill Evans, McCoy Tyner and Thelonius Monk while his signature vocal sound and style has been likened to Chet Baker, Billie Holiday, Michael Franks and Antonio Carlos Jobim.Recently, Rick DellaRatta was included in the Book Jazz Singers as one of the top Jazz Vocalists of all time and by TheFoundationCenterin their list of the top musician philanthropists of our time along withBono (U2), Elton John, Peter Gabriel and Sting.
For complete tour schedule and additional info please visit www.jazzforpeace.organd our Africa Page at www.jazzforpeace.org/africaevent.htm

For more information on Rick DellaRatta: - Audio MP3.s -http://www.powerpresskits.com/PPKs/indexC.aspx?PPK=5192&pg=audio09

Hi-res photos:www.rickdellaratta.com/press.htmEntire Promo Package including videos:http://www.powerpresskits.com/PPKs/indexC.aspx?PPK=5192

Jazz for Peace ROCKS Boston, Chicago, Birmingham and St. Paul! - Click here for details.

For More Information please contact: The Jazz for Peace Foundation 400 W43 St. New York, NY - 212-947-1104 www.jazzforpeace.org

Promoting Jazz & Philanthropy: More Than 800 Performances, Fundraising For Over 700 Organizations in Eight Years.