Abilene jazz fest to benefit Ugandan band

By Melissa Green Special to the Reporter-News, Posted April 4, 2013 at 3 a.m.

If music is the universal language, then a group of Big Country musicians hope to communicate friendship to Africa through jazz.

The Third Annual Abilene Jazz Fest will be held 7 p.m. Monday at the Paramount Theatre, 352 Cypress St.

Besides showcasing local jazz ensembles, the event serves as a fundraiser for The Elgon Youth Brass Band in Mbale, Uganda.

Derek Brown, director of Jazz Studies at Abilene Christian University, directs the university’s Jazz Ensemble and coordinates the Abilene Jazz Fest.

Brown came across the Elgon Youth Brass Band while doing some research earlier in the year. The Ugandan group was started to help homeless and at-risk kids from starving or turning to crime to feed their families by giving them an instrument and paying them for performances to cover food and shelter.

Brown thought assisting the band would be a positive element to add to the festival.

“Music makes a huge difference in these kids’ lives,” Brown said.

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