By Ibrahim S. Bangura
The Embassy of the United States of America in Freetown and local musicians on Monday July 1, 2024, have held a musical event titled: ‘An American-Sierra Leonean Cross-Cultural Jam Session’ aimed at facilitating collaboration. The event, which was held at the American Corner at Kissy Low-Cost Housing Site 1, in the east of Freetown, was also aimed at enhancing personal relationships between the two countries.
The performance featured Winds Aloft from The United States Air Forces Europe-Air Forces Africa Band and Sierra Leonean woodwind players, including flutists, saxophonists, etc. At the event, there was a question and answer session where local musicians asked Winds Aloft about music and how it would benefit those who make it. Winds Aloft Band also made some good suggestions about how musicians could make a living from music.
Justin Lucas, a Technical Sergeant in the United Nations Forces and member of the Winds Aloft from The United States Air Forces Europe-Air Forces Africa Band, said that the cross-section jam was really impactful. According to him, the band did not only learn about Sierra Leone culture through the local music they performed, but they also learnt about improvisation. “I am not used to improvisation, but this jam session has made me to learn about it. And it is an absolutely amazing and loving thing. Learning how to play a Sierra Leonean song, ‘One Life’ done by Famous, was an amazing thing for me,” Lucas said joyfully.
He said that Sierra Leone has a beautiful and rich culture and if it was well preserved the local musicians together with the Country would be elevated.
Lucas encourages local musicians to embrace their culture, for it will be one of the things that will make them stand out in their career. He added , “Country’s culture is really important. If you don’t love your culture and try to preserve it, it will be difficult for you to succeed as a musician. Your culture is the root of everything.” He explains that keeping up with one’s music is a very challenging thing, but he advises musicians to keep working hard and to never give up. “When you take your instrument, remember why you want to do music. There is a reason you want to do it. If you keep reminding yourself about that reason you will absolutely get to your goal. Practicing everyday is another thing you can learn as a musician. Keep on trying. When you fail, don’t give up, for success will never come without you failing so many times,” he encouraged his listeners.
The local musicians thanked and appreciated the Winds Aloft Band for exposing them to different things in music. They said that they did not only learn about how to use their instruments to make a living out of them, but to also use their gifts to develop the society. Among the local musicians were Lovelace Love-harding who plays the trumpet, Ibrahim S. Bangura, who plays the flute, Tenneh Doris Kargbo, who plays the saxophone, among others.