Targeted News Service, February 4, 2009, Wednesday

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Targeted News Service

February 4, 2009, Wednesday

HEADLINE: Internationally Acclaimed Kenyan Band To Kick Off Black History Month

BYLINE: Targeted News Service

DATELINE: PAINESVILLE, Ohio

BODY:
Lake Erie College issued the following news release:

Lake Erie College's Black History Month will kick off with the performance of internationally acclaimed musical group JABALI AFRIKA Feb. 12 from 8:00-9:30 p.m. in the Morley Music Building. The concert is co-sponsored by the Lake Erie College Student Activities Council (SAC) and the City of Painesville Recreation Department.

Other Black History Month events include presentations by J. Terrell Dillard, a motivational speaker, and Al Mor-gan, aka Hijinx, a hip-hop poet, Feb. 25 at 7:00 p.m. in the Arthur S. Holden Center stage area.

JABALI AFRIKA originates from East Africa's Kenya. The band is a truly multi-faceted group with its own unique mixture of fusion and African rhythms. Original compositions and traditional African rhythms come alive on a wide variety of instruments, accompanied by vocal harmonies that form the foundation of modern rock, jazz, blues and more. Talented dancing and choreography, combined with traditional African tribal costumes, create a multi-cultural experience providing the audience with enrichment, education and entertainment.

The name was picked because the word Jabali is Kiswahili (Kenya's national language) for rock. This word was significant to the original members because they used to meet on a large rock in order to discuss how to advance their musical careers. Therefore, Jabali was an ideal name for the band.

The band launched its unique sound on Nairobi's National Talent Search (Star Search) before going on to win the best traditional adaptation award in Kenya in December 1994.

As a result of this achievement JABALI AFRIKA earned recognition throughout Africa, as well as Europe. In the spring of 1995, the band was invited to headline the African Heritage Festival tour of Germany and Austria. Addition-ally, CNN Lifestyle even aired a feature of the festival's portrayal of the creative and dynamic side of Africa in the world today.

To date, JABALI AFRIKA has toured Europe and Japan extensively, and has made its way to the United States. While in the U.S. the band has played major festivals and appearances on Mr. Rogers' neighborhood, Good Morning America, BET and MTV as well as several other domestic and international television programs including the British Broadcasting Service (BBC) and Radio France International.

Furthermore, JABALI AFRIKA has performed at the Reebok Human Right Awards at the Winter Olympics Games 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The band was also featured in the Marley Magic tour in honor of the late Bob Marley. JABALI AFRIKA is Kenya's most international toured band and performs more than 250 shows per year. JABALI AFRIKA has released two CDs in Europe, and three in the United States entitled Journey, Remember the Past and Rootsganza.

Speaker Terrell Dillard is currently the president and master franchise owner of Jan-Pro Cleaning Systems of Greater Cleveland. Dillard oversees more than 100 unit owners in the Cleveland market and 500+ clients. Prior to Jan-Pro, Dillard was partner/general manager for Bonnie Speed Delivery in Cleveland. He began his professional career with Fifth Third Bank of Northeast Ohio and also had a successful career as an account manager for Cleveland's CBS television affiliate, WOIO-Channel 19.

Dillard earned a bachelor of science degree in industrial & labor relations/pre-law from Cornell University in 1992. He is currently president of the board for, Laketran, a member of Jan-Pro International's Advisory Council and The Cleveland Foundation's Lake-Geauga Advisory Committee.

Hijinx is a spoken word artist that has performed at Sunday worship services as well as opening for such recording artists Heather Headley and Marcus Houston. He competed nationally as a member of Cleveland Ohio's 2004 Slam Team and has won several slam competitions in the area.

Additionally, Hijinx has performed at the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame as well as numerous clubs, schools, colleges, churches, social events and open mics. Hijinx tied for first place in the Budweiser True Music Live competition with Lyfe Jennings, now a national recording artist. Since then, Hijinx has completed his first cd, a new mix of words and beats that has received radio play on Cleveland's top hip-hop station.

The events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Travis Rose, coordinator of student activities and cultural programs, at 440.375.7507 or trose@lec.edu
TNS MJ88-JF78-090205-2215581 18MASHMaryJane

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