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 * The DuSable Museum of African-American History presents a special webinar... ||  ||
 * [[image:HARAMBEE_PRE-KWANZAA_FESTIVAL.jpg width="396" height="184" align="center"]] ||
 * The Harambee Pre-Kwanzaa Festival is an exciting musical celebration of family, community, and culture featuring Kwame Steve Cobb and Chavunduka performing songs from their highly acclaimed recording "Seven Principles". This dynamic multi-media webinar presentation teaches the Seven Principals of Kwanzaa. It is most appropriate for students in grades 5 - 12. (See below for information about the performers.)


 * Webinar Screenshots **

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__Date__: Friday, December 17, 2010 __Time__: 10:30 am - 11:30 am CT

__Set-Up__: To prepare to participate, set up a computer with a projector, speakers, and screen. During the webinar, your students will see and hear the program. You will be able to communicate with the presenters in a chat textbox.

Contact Marty McGuire (memcguire@cps.k12.il.us) or Lisa Perez (leperez1@cps.k12.il.us) with questions prior to the event. Brought to you by the Chicago Public Schools Office of Technology Services and the Chicago Public Schools Dept of Libraries.


 * Kwame Steve Cobb**

Drummer, Percussionist, Songwriter, Producer and Founder of Cobbala Productions, Kwame Steve Cobb is the co-writer and producer of the highly acclaimed recording call "Seven Principles," the first complete contemporary collection of original songs for Kwanzaa. Over the last fifteen years, Kwame has shared his vision and musical insights by developing and implementing cultural programs dedicated to the growth and development of youth in communities of African descent. While providing this unique service, Kwame and his wife Chavunduka, have performed as a duo and with their touring company at various venues throughout the country. They've come to be known as the "Musical Ambassadors of Kwanzaa."

Kwame cut his teeth playing clubs on the southside of Chicago. Back then Kwame was generally the youngest in the band. As a matter of fact the older musicians who hired him had to promise his mother and father they would keep him out of trouble before they'd let him work in night clubs. In the late 60's Kwame began to express himself through his music, following the example of artists like The Last Poets, James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, and Gil Scott Heron. As co-founder of the self-contained group, BOSCOE, Kwame composed and recorded songs of liberation for the first time.

In the early 70's and on into the mid 90's, Kwame, then known as Steve "The Cobb-Orator" Cobb,performed and recorded with popular recording artists Phil Upchurch, Ramsey Lewis, Earth, Wind and Fire, Roy Ayers, Stanley Turrentine, Anita Baker, Jerry Butler, Bill Withers, Jean Carne, Ahmad Jamal, Charles Earland, Lonnie Liston Smith, and many others.

In partnership with his wife Chavunduka, Kwame now aspires to deepen their already impressive body of work. Kwame's other recordings include "Vote for Jesse Jackson" for Rev. Jackson's presidential run and The March is on for the "Million man March".

The current release of their remastered recordings, Shammin or Jammin and Chavunduka is called "the 241 Project and offers footage from a 1991 concert and bonus tracts.


 * Chavunduka**

Chavunduka, pronounced (Cha-voon-doo-ka), is a multi-dimensional song stylist who comes from the school of artists whose music is not limited by categories. Her vocal repertoire draws from the deep reservoir and tradition of the great black music genres, Jazz, R&B, traditional African and Gospel music.

She has performed at universities, concert venues, and festivals throughout the United States, in Moscow, West Africa, and the Virgin Islands. She has shared stages with Wynton Marsalis, Lou Rawls, Pharoah Sanders, Roy Ayers, Peabo Bryson, the late Kenny Kirkland and many other renowned musical artists. Blessed with a three-octave range, Chavunduka possesses a distinct vocal signature through which she displays her soulful spirit and artistic brilliance.

Listening to Chavunduka's self-titled debut recording, you'll feel her magnetism and experience her precise vocal dexterity, which is matched only by the creativity of her arrangements. She caresses each song with uncommon honesty, as in her performance of "My Funny Valentine" and the sizzling eye-opener "My Favorite Things," inspiring emotion and excitement.

Chavunduka is also the co-founder of Cobbala Productions, along with her husband Kwame Steve Cobb, with whom she co-wrote and produced their first collaboration recording called //Seven Principles//. Chavunduka and Kwame have eight children and reside in Chicago. ||  ||