Daniel Pearl World Music Days Oct. 1-31

From Canada to Cameroon, Poland to Pakistan and Israel to Indonesia, music artists, from every corner of the globe, will unite in a collective call for tolerance and understanding of our shared humanity during the 7th Annual Daniel Pearl World Music Days, a worldwide network of concerts dedicated to "Harmony for Humanity." The events run from October 1-31, and already include more than 500 performances in 41 countries. Daniel Pearl, the Wall Street Journal reporter and musician, kidnapped and murdered in Pakistan in 2002, would have celebrated his 45th birthday on October 10.

Some of the artists who have registered their October concerts include Honorary Committee members Herbie Hancock, Alison Krauss, R.E.M., Tania Libertad, Yefim Bronfman, Ida Haendel, Mark O'Connor, Conductors George Pehlivanian, Zubin Mehta, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and an Oberlin College performance of Steve Reich's "Daniel Variations." Additional artists include Dave Koz, Laurie Anderson, The Kronos Quartet, Kathy Mattea, Jason Mraz, Michel Camilo, Doug Kershaw, The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, India's premier jazz ensemble Jazz Junction, Cesaria Evora, American Youth Symphony, Stanford Music Department, Denton School of Music and many more, representing every imaginable genre from acoustic to Zydeco.

In addition, a special tour called FODfest (Friends of Danny), a rolling jam session featuring more than 200 musicians, and led by Pearl's former band-mate and friend, radio host Todd Mack, will run from October 10-26 and visit 14 cities across the U.S. including Boston, New York, Washington DC, Atlanta, Nashville, Seattle, Portland, Berkeley and Los Angeles.

Daniel Pearl World Music Days takes place each year during October, to coincide with Pearl's birthday October 10. This year the Wall Street Journal reporter, who was kidnapped and murdered by terrorists in Pakistan in 2002 while researching a story, would have been 45. An accomplished musician, Pearl connected to people through music in every country he visited, often joining local music groups and participating in impromptu jam sessions.

"Danny was a passionate believer in the power of music to bring people together regardless of ethnic, religious or cultural differences," said his father Judea Pearl, President of the Daniel Pearl Foundation. "World Music Days is a tribute to this passion and a powerful instrument in our quest for a hate-free world. Its mission resonates with a broad spectrum of professional artists on every continent, as well as youth and school groups."

World Music Days is designed to raise awareness and promote tolerance and understanding of our shared humanity.

Artists register their October events at the Web site and make a dedication in support of "Harmony for Humanity" from the stage and/or in the printed program. Participants can create an Artist page on the site with text, photos, videos and links seen worldwide.

"World Music Days' message, exulting our shared humanity, has really struck a chord," said Ruth Pearl, Daniel's mother. "Over and over we hear how the simple act of a spoken dedication empowers both the artist and audience members with a sense of unity and purpose."

Artists also can submit original compositions inspired by the legacy of Daniel Pearl to be considered for the "Harmony for Humanity eStage," a streaming internet radio station broadcast from the Foundation's Web site throughout October. eStage features original compositions, music by members of the World Music Days Honorary Committee, recordings from dedicated concerts as well as themed broadcasts and tapes of Danny himself playing with various bands.

Artists can still register an October performance as part of Daniel Pearl World Music Days 2008. To learn more about World Muisic Days or the "Harmony for Humanity" eStage, please visit www.danielpearlmusicdays.org.

Registered events taking place outside of October are welcome and will be listed as "Tribute Concerts."

The Daniel Pearl Foundation works domestically and internationally to promote cross-cultural understanding, to counter cultural and religious hatred, to encourage responsible and creative journalism, and to unite people through music.