SPECIAL OLYMPICS 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION CONCERT
hasn’t worked directly with the hiphop star, he does say, “I know Chance personally requested I sing [ hit single] ‘ The Remedy’ so I’m putting that song in my set. I’m touched he even knows who I am. … He has given lots of love to Chicago and I’m glad that he wanted to add this to his long list of work in the city.”
The singer’s own Jason Mraz Foundation, started in his hometown of Richmond, Virginia, in 2010, also will be a part of the landmark concert including a local adaptation of the foundation’s LIVE ART program. The “equally inclusive” after school program is for students of all ages, with and without disabilities, that use performing arts to find common ground and share messages of acceptance, compassion and empathy. Every June, it culminates in a mixed media event with a showcase of song, dance and visual arts.
“LIVE ART really tries to be the Special Olympics of performing arts programs,” says Mraz. “It’s really When: Where: Information/ tickets: transformed lives, for the students in it and their families and those in the Richmond community.’’
Mraz remembers that feeling 15 years ago when his debut album, “Waiting For My Rocket to Come,” shot him from the small coffeehouses he was playing to the national spotlight with Platinum Certification and two Grammy Awards. And though his newest album, “Know,” to be released in August will be much of the same ilk — a collection of acoustic pop, blueeyed soul and reggae inspiration— Mraz’s material source has come far in that time. The philanthropist considers himself a “songwriter in service” who firmly believes in imbuing his music with positive, do- good messages, though he found that hard at times writing the latest songs given the state of the world around him.
“I really thought I was going to be able to get some edgier, darker songs out on this record, but I realized I don’t want my legacy in music to be ungrateful, frustrated songs. Love will last forever and ignorant presidents will only last for one or two terms so I don’t want to add more energy to ignorance, I want to add more energy to how to return to love because that is what will get us through it,” he says, noting he was inspired by a trip to Myanmar and performing on Broadway in Sara Bareilles’ “Waitress” musical.
“I figured if I have a song that’s pointing the finger at someone, then I am no different than them; that’s not inclusion. I instead wanted to sing my humanity and reach humanity in the process.”