Playing For Change’s “La Bamba” Video With Los Lobos Members

PLAYING FOR CHANGE Releases “La Bamba” Video featuring Cesar Rosas and David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, Andres Calamaro and Musicians Around the World
on Relix.com

“…a multimedia movement designed to break down global barriers and connect people of every race through the power of music. – CNN

“…demonstrates a global willingness to understand others and unite through the power of music.”- World Café

“Few musicians play with more passion and conviction than the soulful folks who take to the sidewalks to share their music.” – New York Times

Los Angeles – July 16th, 2014 – Playing For Change premieres “La Bamba” video featuring David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas of Los Lobos, Andres Calamaro and musicians across the world on Relix.com.

“La Bamba” is off the latest album Playing For Change 3 “Songs Around The World” which was released on June 17th, 2014. The CD/DVD is available both digitally and physically at all major retailers and via Starbucks in North America, and includes performances from Keith Richards, Sara Bareilles, Andres Calamaro, Toots Hibbert from Toots & The Maytals, Los Lobos, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Keb Mo, and Taj Mahal in addition to a song produced by Jackson Browne. Album is now available on iTunes.

Tying into the release of this video, Playing For Change has announced a La Bamba Fan Video Contest. Fans are encouraged to create videos of themselves and their friends & family playing, singing and/or dancing with “La Bamba.” Playing For Change will then create a “Fan Version” video of the song featuring some of the best clips. The grand prize winner for the best clip will receive a Fender Standard Telecaster guitar signed by members of Playing for Change and Los Lobos. The top 4 winners will each receive a copy of the new album Playing For Change 3 “Songs Around The World. The contest is now live on the Playing For Change website.

The Playing For Change movement began in 2005 creating the concept of the Songs Around The World by uniting together musicians from many different countries and cultures to perform on the same track. Mark and a small crew traveled across 5 continents with a mobile recording studio and cameras with the vision of building a global family through the power of music. The first song released was a version of “Stand By Me”, featuring over 35 musicians from 10 countries who had never met in person. Since then, this international version of “Stand By Me” has been viewed over 100 million times online.

Since the release of the first video, Playing For Change has sold over 550,000 units worldwide, topped the World Music Charts, and has had over 200 million online video views. The video for Maroon 5’s “Daylight” topped the VH1 and MTV top video countdowns, and the Peace Through Music feature film was a runner up for the People’s Choice award at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival. In 2012, Playing For Change was awarded the coveted “Tribeca Disruptive Innovation” award, which celebrates those whose ideas have broken the mold to create significant impact. Co-Founder Mark Johnson has appeared on Bill Moyers Journal, Colbert Report, Tavis Smiley, CNN, ABC World News, and has spoken at 3 World Economic Forums. Playing For Change has been featured in a diverse range of national print and TV media including NPR, Rolling Stone, Paste Magazine, LA Times, and The New York Times. The band has also performed on The Colbert Report, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Conan (twice).

In 2007 the Playing For Change Foundation was launched with the goal to create positive change through music and arts education. In the last seven years, the Foundation has served over 700 kids in nine music schools and programs in countries including South Africa, Ghana, Mali, Rwanda, Nepal and Thailand. The programs include free classes in dance, instruments, languages and musical theory, all taught by local qualified teachers. Guiding principles include using music to transform lives and communities, connecting people globally, local leadership and economic empowerment. The projects perpetuate cultural traditions, enhance cognitive development for youth through music education, develop social and emotional learning, increase education and use of new technologies for communities and youth, promote cross-cultural education, and create positive change through music and access to the arts in places that are culturally rich but economically poor. PFC Songs Around the World have also been the inspiration for educators across the United States and Canada to develop curriculum that explores concepts of global citizenship and the foundation has forged partnerships with school communities to encourage music education and cross-cultural learning.

Since 2011, the Playing For Change Foundation has hosted a global day of music and action: “Playing For Change Day.” The worldwide celebration unites people through the power of music to inspire positive social change. Communities gather as musicians and fans from all over the world perform on stages, street corners, schools, yoga studios, and cafes, all with the goal of bringing music into the lives of young people. In 2013, volunteers hosted over 300 events in 52 countries raising more than $150,000 to support music education.

For more information on Playing For Change, visit http://www.playingforchange.com/.