Overtown Music Project Celebrates Music of Overtown with annual fundraiser at Fontainebleau Hote

Jan. 24, 2013 - PRLog -- Miami-Fl- The Overtown Music Project (OMP) is hosting their annual fundraiser on Saturday, January 26th, 2013 from 7pm-10pm at the Fontainebleau Hotel, inside of Liv(4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33140). Tickets can be purchased at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5147700912. Proceeds will benefit their music program in Overtown. The event celebrates the connection between Overtown and the Fontainebleau, a hotel where Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie and Etta James once performed. Several musicians who played in Overtown's numerous venues during its heyday, now in their 60s - 90s, will be showcased. The Melton Mustafa Orchestra will lend their talents of their 18 piece big band that will include hip hop music.

Today’s trend towards cutting funds for art and music programs is alarming.  Music is an obvious outlet for self-expression and creativity, and 20 years of research prove that children exposed to music perform better in school and socially, and develop positive personality characteristics. OMP’s strong belief that music is transformative and can be the engine of change within an impoverished community, OMP recently partnered with the Harmony Project and the Frost School of Music at UM to provide a free music program in the Overtown community.  The program will begin on January 27th, 2013 and will reside at Frederick Douglas Elementary School in Overtown. The program offers children jazz based music classes, songs, movement, improvisation, ear training, note reading, music theory and music history. The students also have an opportunity to learn an instrument of their choice in their second session.

OMP’s annual event at Liv has become a staple within the fabric of South Florida. Last year’s event attracted some hip hop favorites that included Talib Kweli http://vimeo.com/42967899 and Monie Love.



Overtown Music Project is a Miami-based nonprofit that pays homage to the history and the spirit of Overtown, an area that was once known as the "Harlem of the South" and now is the most impoverished part of Miami-Dade County.  OMP seeks to revitalize the area through music and education. OMP hosts an ongoing signature Jazz Series event at Jackson Soul in Overtown http://www.socialmiami.com/articles/Amy-Rosenberg-Artisti... and their annual signature gospel brunch http://miami.cbslocal.com/2011/05/07/overtown-music-proje....

For more information about Overtown Music Project visit http://overtownmusicproject.org/. Follow OMP at @OMPCelebrates.