Keyboardist George Abuaita from Palestine, studying musicology and music therapy in Thesalonika Greece gave great support to Palestinian song bird Zaid Hilal at our legendary gig at the Jam Jar last October. His visa being still valid, he asked to come over and play with people of fellow Mediterranean cultures. Just jamming in a church hall not being quite the ticket, sure thing I said and Moroccan oudist/singer Soufian Saithi, Istanbulite Ozcan Ates who supported that legendary gig with his golden singing, the beautiful Roma-Tuareg dancer Farida Mustapha and Bristol stalwarts Chai For All, Knud Stuwe on oud, Simon Leach on derabukka, sweet singer Marianna Moralis and David Mowat on trumpet all agreed. Al Swainger the mighty will add his bass. Last and mightiest is the joyful Gambian kora player Bunja Conteh and his Welsh wife Liz Conteh on backing vocals and bass acoustic guitar and their Senegalese percussionist Omar Sanyang. Together they are half of the soulful mesmeric Afro=Welsh Connection.

The clincher was the recent cancellation of another gig on March 14th; the Jam Jar's kind flexible managers put out a call offering a no-hire fee night last week and we responded. So thank you to the Jam Jar for enabling this to happen!

Our hearts go out to Palestine, first Gaza and now the West Bank, as Israel with USA support still pushes to 'ethnically cleanse' the whole territory it seems. Once George's airfare is paid we'll send profits to MAP Medical Aid to Palestine.

It's bound to be a slightly loose affair. Bunja and co will start the night, Chai For All and Farida will end it and George and friends will fill the middle. Expect an almighty jam at the end! Come and be part of the excitement and join the call for justice!

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