David Rovics is a songwriter, musician, writer and podcaster based in Portland, Oregon.  Since the 1990s, David has been touring regularly throughout North America, Europe, and occasionally elsewhere, playing on stages large and small, at protests and festivals as well as in squatted social centers and folk clubs. He has recorded dozens of albums and has millions of his songs streamed every year. His writing and podcasting can be found on Substack and other platforms. David also plays music for kids. He has been compared to Phil Ochs, and Amy Goodman called him “the musical version of Democracy Now!” Find his full bio at www.davidrovics.com

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Joanne Rand is a composer-poet-teacher-activist.  She released her eighteenth CD of original songs, Stay Awhile, recorded with her “supergroup” quartet, in 2023. Based in northern California, she’s been touring for 40 years with her original brand of “Psychedelic-Folk-Revival,” and a vocal styling all her own. Joanne’s influences span a wide array of genres: folk, experimental rock, blues, gospel, classical, and world beat. Born and bred in the Deep South, Rand has performed in Manhattan, L.A., Toronto, Atlanta, Seattle, Hawaii, Alaska, and the Amazon. Poet Gary Snyder noted, “Joanne Rand’s voice raises your hair. Elegance and fierceness in the same deep breath.” Find her full bio at www.joannerandmusic.com

 

Ben Grosscup sings about the ideas and values of the revolutionary social movements he’s part of, including peace, anti-imperialism, Palestine Solidarity, labor, and ecology.  Drawing upon activist folk singing traditions, he brings new songs to the rallies, strikes, and picket lines where they’re most relevant.  He leads purposeful group singing that raises political consciousness.  https://www.youtube.com/c/BenGrosscup   Ben is executive director of The People’s Music Network for Songs of Freedom and Struggle, a diverse community of singers, artists, and activists that cultivates music and cultural work as catalysts for a just and peaceful world.  PMN hosts regular online and in-person musical collaborations, involving artists world-wide. https://peoplesmusic.org/

 

 

 

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Issa Boulos, born in Jerusalem, now based in Chicago, is an oud player, a prolific composer, and ethnomusicologist. A recipient of many awards, he currently directs the Community Music and Art Center at Harper College.

 

*Issa Boulos google drive with mp4 videos: 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RO3Yj45exMUlK4M4Wqhcsyxq0ecVXSMf

 

*Oud [ʿūd in Arabic] definition [from Wikipedia]: The oud is a Middle Eastern short-neck, pear-shaped, fretless stringed instrument, usually with 11 strings grouped in 6 courses. Some models have 5 or 7 courses, with 10 or 13 strings respectively. The oud is very similar to Western lutes, which developed out of the Medieval Islamic oud.

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Rob Moitoza WORLD ON FIRE song — who is with VFP Chapter 92 in Seattle, Washington — has appeared on over 100 record albums as bassist, vocalist, or writer. He has written over 1,000 original songs, and he is an experienced recording engineer and music producer as well. This song was written by Rob’s friend Craig Ingraham, who died in 2020, and so this song is dedicated to his memory. To learn more about what Rob does, music-wise, go to: robmoitoza.com.

WORLD ON FIRE download link: https://we.tl/t-SBshi777qP 

 

Ruby Shurley, a member of the extended VFP community, shares with us her recent rendition of one of her favorite peace-inspiring numbers.