On Ensemble : Masato Baba, Kristofer Bergstrom, Shoji Kameda and Kelvin Underwood » Democratic National Convention

Stevie Wonder, Take 6, Barack Obama and the DNC

shoji — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:06:04 +0000

Holy freakin’ cow, I just had one of the most amazing days ever! I performed as one of the “Drums of Unity” with Stevie Wonder and Take 6 at the Democratic National Convention. I can’t even believe it. Stevie Wonder and Take 6… Between the two that’s like 36 Grammys, 6 of the most amazing vocalists I’ve ever heard and ONE MUSIC GOD. DemConvention has posted this video as well as many others on YouTube. I had to watch it twice just to believe it actually happened.

Being a part of the “Drums of Unity” was very special. Munyungo Jackson on cajon, Fausto Cuevas on congas, Steve Haney on snare and tambourine, and Glen Ahhaitty and Mark Makai on Native American drums. I feel so humbled to have had the chance to share the stage with all of these amazing artists.

The atmosphere of the convention was absolutely phenomenal. 75,000 people is definitely the largest audience I’ve ever played for! Looking out from my drums into a sea of people was quite a moment.

After the performance I made my way onto the floor of Invesco Field to watch Obama’s speech. It was amazing to be a part of. A historic moment and Obama gave the most inspirational political speech I’ve ever heard. I’m filled a hope and optimism about our country that I’ve never felt before. This is definitely a day I’ll be telling my grandchildren about. “I was there when President Obama gave the speech that defined a generation… really… no really…” Finally a leader that seeks to inspire us to a higher purpose rather than speak down to us like a bunch of idiots.

Sometimes it’s hard for me to believe all of the places this art form has taken me. I’d like to thank Stevie Wonder and Munyungo Jackson for this amazing day and amazing opportunity!

Democratic National Convention

shoji — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:51:30 +0000

Flew into Denver this morning for the DNC gig. There is a ton of activity everywhere and the excitement is infectious. Today we had a sound check today at Invesco field and I am looking forward to tomorrow! It’s an amazing honor to play with a music god like Stevie Wonder at such a historic event. I totally have Obama fever, this is the most excited I’ve ever been about a presidential race and that’s saying something because I usually get pretty worked up. More later!

It’s not everyday…

shoji — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:27:12 +0000

It’s not everyday you get a call in the morning to perform with Stevie Wonder at the Democratic National Convention and by the end of the day find yourself at Wonderland Studios rehearsing with the legend. Crazy… I need to pinch myself.

Anyways… I don’t want to give away too much, but I’ll be heading to Denver next week for the Democratic National Convention! Woohoo!

Back in 2004 I got to go to the Boston convention with Hiroshima got stuck in an underground parking lot for three hours and we all know how that election turned out. It was also the tour that I lost my job as primary navigator… Heading back to the hotel from dinner I missed the hotel exit four times in a row and the worst part about it was that every time I missed the exit we had to pay a toll! That was the last time I got to be band navigator. Now we have a GPS instead.

Maybe in 2012 On Ensemble will be famous enough to get invited to perform at a DNC! We’ll have to win a grammy first, so there is still work to be done, but we might as well aim high! More later…