August, 2010
JOEL HAMILTON lends his musical skills to help combat AIDS in Africa
By Jon Berger
As one of NYC's busiest engineers, producers, writers, performers and a partner of Brooklyn's legendary Studio G (along with Tony Maimone), Joel Hamilton's days (and late nights) are spent keeping pace with an astonishing roster of clients including BlakRoc, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Mos Def, Lou Reed, Matisyahu, Talib Kweli and Justin Timberlake to name a few.
Trying to capture and craft the raw energy in a studio recording can be a gratifying experience. But, sometimes unexpected challenges in an unfamiliar setting can speak volumes, as Hamilton recently discovered during a unique opportunity that took him to South Africa. Hamilton, along with recording engineer, Francisco Botero, traveled to the Nkomazi region of South Africa to work with the organization TRIAD Trust (Training to Reduce the Incidence of AIDS-Related Death). Nkomazi is home to the population with the world's highest prevalence of HIV.
"Nothing could have prepared me for the depth and range of emotions that I felt while I was in Africa."
50% of the population over the age of 15 is living with HIV. TRIAD's mission is to change that. Through innovative programming, TRIAD trains local leaders to create sustainable arts, media, and sports-based HIV and life skills education programs for these vulnerable children. By working within schools and in after-school programs the staff introduces information each week with songs, improvisational role playing, discussions and collaborative performances.
Hamilton and Botero spent several weeks in South Africa recording songs, spokenword pieces composed by program participants, and interviews with community members. One of the major goals of the project is to produce a recording for sale that will return profits to the various groups and programs in Africa.
"Nothing could have prepared me for the depth and range of emotions that I felt while I was in Africa," said Hamilton. "I would walk away from certain days of recording with tears in my eyes, and a new sense of purpose and resolve in my heart... along with the sounds made by amazing artists still swirling in my ears and brain."
You can see many of Hamilton's photos from his African experience online at http://joelhamiltonlivesloud.blogspot.com/. If you want to find out more about the TRIAD Trust or are interested in volunteering, visit www.triadtrust.org. For more information about Hamilton's work check out his website at www.joelhamiltonrecording.com
