Hylife is a colorful periodic letter written by Hyim. Some are full of stories, poetry, and anecdotes (like vol. 16) and others are little more than announcements for shows.
Poland Reflection -- HYIM
Being a part of the Memory of Tolerance Weekend in Poland was one of the most profound experiences of my life. Having the honor of being the "American Jew" who was invited to be on the stage and bring the celebration part to the ceremony was exhilarating and humbling. This was no small event. The event was commemorating a Jewish cemetery that was destroyed in WWII by Nazis. Saturday night we played a show opening for the most famous pop-star in Poland, Justyne Steczkowska. The crowd was hyped! We played our hour set to dancing folks and up-front screaming teen-agers. After our set we signed autographs and took pictures for at least a half-hour. Josh and Derek, the bassist and drummer, were also the subject of adoration and batting eyelashes. Sunday was the official ceremony unveiling the plaque demarcating where the cemetery was. The ceremony was complete with international diplomats, choirs, politicians, and food that looked like royal cuisine for hundreds if not thousands. That night we were the headlining band. We were to bring the Oakland bump, the California love, the booty shake to the event that was honoring my ancestors as well as a country in transition and rebirth. And we did, "High -eem! High-eem!" they chanted over and over again. Over 60 years ago, the Nazis destroyed a Jewish cemetery walking distance from that stage. 3 million Polish Jews and an additional 3 million Poles died during WWII. The subsequent communist rule was often an oppressive and troubling regime. And now, here were hoards of people---dignitaries, businessmen, townspeople, yelling in Hebrew "Life!!! Life!!!" We were not only celebrating the symbolic healing represented by a plaque honoring a destroyed cemetery, we were laying the groundwork for a future in which we are insisting that we learn from the wrongs of our past, a future where we honor differences as a strength, a future in which we celebrate this life and the abundance which we can all share---ripe with the sweetness of the new Polish-Oakland booty shake dancing into tomorrow. As I am home safely and enjoying the blessings of my home, I am grateful for this opportunity to represent my ancestors with joy and celebration.
www.hyimvibe.com www.myspace.com/hyim
http://www.tolerancja.chelmno.pl
May 12 and 13, 2007
Why I Make Music -- HYIM
I make music because it is like spiritual dental floss. It reverberates through my body -- it's a cleansing. Every time I sing I feel better about life and all that is around me. It is also my means of casting my words and energy into the world that is aimed in the direction of peace and positive communion. Music is my surf board on which I travel. Music takes me not only on tours, but into the minds and hearts and bodies of people all over the world as well. My music is meant to bring joy and solace. This music that I make is chi (universal energy as described in various Eastern traditions) that uses me as a conduit. As I have said, I make music because I want peace in this world for my parents and my brothers and sisters and for our children and their children yet to come. Perhaps this story explains a little of that: When I was 6 years old I was playing piano on a Saturday morning in my father's living room in my "under-roos". I was playing quietly so my father could sleep (he was also the one who taught me to play). As I was improvising I heard something behind me. I turned around and my father was sitting in a chair crying. I became very worried and asked what was wrong. He said, "Nothing. It's beautiful. Keep playing." And I haven't stopped playing. Four years later, my father was shot and murdered. Perhaps playing music allows me to continue to feel connected to him. On a larger scale, music and dancing and singing are generally only possible when in the immediate vicinity there is peace. Music is what I am supposed to do; plus it's so fun!
I get to learn musical styles and bring them together: Cuban piano montunos with Indian raags, hip hop beats with classical bassoon motifs, etc. It's an alchemy of expression, this Urban World Beat music, that is Yet my music is also just me at the piano, quietly singing to my dad and to everyone else who has lost people they love. Music is what makes me feel alive.
These are the reasons why I make music.
I thank the almighty creator for this.
Selah
Shalom
Peace
Hyim
November 2006
We all have a world that we want to see: a world where peace is commonplace and children are able to flourish unafraid. I did not know Daniel personally, but reading about him and seeing the amazing ways he continues to inspire people to work on behalf of this world we cherish is mind blowing. I have been blessed to have traveled to about thirty countries in my short life, and indeed music was the primary vehicle upon which I connected to the people I met. Daniel understood music's ability to immediately transcend differences and provide a space for deep listening and collective creativity. In other words: music creates peace. I will be dedicating my performance on October 15 to Daniel Pearl. My song, "Let Out A Little Peace," is a song I believe he would be proud to be connected to. "Breath by breath, you must create this peace; and we will create this peace one by one. Accept our grief without vengeance and let this cycle cease." Daniel did that in his own way: word by word, story by story. He is a modern hero, and his legacy is clearly continuing to shape and change the world. For all of our children yet to come: selah, shalom, asalaam, namaste, paz, peace. www.music-days.org
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
5 Day Fast and Chain Vigil for Peace and Education
Monday-Friday, February 20-24, 2006
3200 Grand Ave, Oakland CA, 94610
Right near The Grand Lake Theater
In response to the effect the depletion of economic and social resources the Iraq war is having on our domestic programs and services (especially education and children's health), teacher, musician/recording artist, and Oakland resident Hyim Jacob Ross has chained himself up, fasting, and not spending any money for 5 days, February 20-24.
Click here
for the full press release
Click here for Hyim's Rock the Earth
interview!
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