On the home stretch. OMF file packed with 12 tracks of audio is off to audio post. Following on my last post, I wanted to share more about music for the film.

One of the highlights of my time in Kenya was meeting George Ooko AND listening to him playing music, whether with students, other instructors, or bandmates. As he shares in the film, George sees the important role of music and the arts in peacebuilding, especially when it comes to supporting and mentoring children.  KokobandI had the opportunity to see George and others teaching youth music sessions and draw crowds of children and adults while performing outside ACREF Community Center in Baba Dogo. I did not get a chance to hear George’s bands live, but he shared one of his albums, Koko Band’s “Kokotone”. Many of the songs on the album convey peace messages, including one cut featured in the film, ‘Gare’ (Train/Locomotive):

The train has set off, gliding smoothly across the country, inside are the souls full of hope, aspirations, and ambition. They are doctors, farmers, etc. Outside are the ones left behind, all hoping that it glides back so that they may as well enjoy the sail to liberation, a movement that will never stop.

Thanks to the artists of Koko Band for sharing their musical gifts and Kenyan sounds.

The last sets of music cues came from a favorite jazz album put out by a favorite record label, AUM Fidelity. (I strongly encourage you to explore their website and wide variety of jazz and avant-garde soul music.) I returned to a favorite album to fill out the film music, “Black Cherry” by Organic Grooves. Organic GroovesThe artists of Organic Grooves drew inspiration and samples from the work of jazz artists William Parker and Hamid Drake creating an amazing dub remix album.