Senior Josiah Lands has been practicing the piano since he was little, specifically falling in love with jazz. His greatest influence was his grandfather, who was the only musician in his family.
“My grandfather was a musician and somewhat of a prodigy,” said Lands, who is performing songs including Toto’s “Africa” and Café Tacvba’s “Eres” in the upcoming World Music Day concerts. “It gave me confidence to know I had a musician in my family.”
Lands was also inspired by musician John Coltrane, who inspired him to learn instruments like the piano, guitar and drums so he could play jazz music. World Music Day (WMD) gives him an outlet to show off what he has learned.
WMD is an event to pay tribute to late journalist Daniel Pearl and to keep his love of music alive through performances. The community gathers to pay tribute to him in his birth month of October. The concert will be held at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School (DPMHS) in the Multi-Purpose Room. On Oct. 24, students will be able to attend the concert during the school day. On Oct. 25, family and friends can attend the evening concert beginning at 7 p.m.
“WMD is a day where students come together as a unit, which makes a bigger force than any individual,” music teacher Wes Hambright said. “It all comes back to unity within the community.”
The event is largely student-led as many students from music classes will participate in the concert. The DPMHS choir class will also be performing for the event. They will be singing Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me” in acapella form.
This year’s WMD theme is Places Around the World and Within the Mind. Songs on the setlist range from “I’d Rather Go Blind” by Etta James, “Hotel California” by Eagles and “Empire State of Mind” by JAY-Z featuring Alicia Keys.
“When I make music, I feel good,” senior and choir student Shawn Abram-Marsden said. “Creating music helped me realize that I’m more than an athlete and that I can do different things. It made me more confident in myself.”
Staff Writer Yusuf Syed contributed to this article.
