Cool Cause: Jada Represent for Music Drives Us in New England
Welcome to the October 2012 Cool Cause at Urb’l Remedy! It’s brought to you by way of Jada, who are as passionate about their own music as they are about what music can do to enrich and enlighten others. Jada is representing Ernie Boch, Jr.’s, Music Drives Us Foundation in New England, for which they were the first ever ambassadors! Just FYI, the organization’s biggest fundraiser, the Boston Music Awards, is coming up Sunday, December 2, 2012, at the Liberty Hotel (in Boston). Check out the Boston Music Awards Facebook Event Page for more deets!
Jada is a Boston-based pop/R&B harmonizing girl group. The quartet is made up of Jacyn, Lauren, Elle, and April. Not only do they represent for the Boston and New England area by singing the national anthem for various local sports teams, they also participate in organizations such as Music Drives Us. Their latest release was the five-song EP called Supersonique. Find out about Jada, their music, and more at their official site.
Let me point out that it’s a coincidence that last month’s and this month’s Cool Causes are both music-related, though one is global while the other is regional. Not a far reach, though, for a music site, but it really is up to the featured artist to choose a cause near-and-dear to their heart. Case in point, our inaugural Cool Cause was all about animals. We’re just happy to give different cool causes their much-deserved limelight from month-to-month. With that bit of house-keeping out of the way, I want to thank Jad-a for always being so the opposite of jad-ed. Now, on to their interview about the Music Drives Us Foundation!
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Urb’l Remedy: Tell us about the Music Drives Us Foundation.
Jada: The Music Drives Us Foundation is a New England non-profit foundation that supports music education, preservation, and awareness. The foundation helps musical individuals and organizations in need through grants and scholarships.
Urb’l Remedy: Tell us about being ambassadors for the Music Drives Us Foundation. How did this come together?
Jada: We are so honored to be Music Drives Us ambassadors! Our good friend, Ernie Boch, Jr., founder of Music Drives Us, asked us to be a part of the organization a few years ago. We immediately jumped on board to support it because we believe that music education is an integral part of the learning experience in schools.
There are other celebrity and performing arts ambassadors that support the foundation including: Sarah Blacker; Scott Stapp [lead singer of Creed]; and radio personality, Kennedy [of Karson & Kennedy morning show], of Boston’s Mix 104.1; to name a few.
Urb’l Remedy: What kinds of things does Jada do as ambassadors for the Music Drives Us Foundation?
Jada: We are active participants in many Music Drives Us events including being judges for the Hard Rock Cafe’s Battle of the Bands. We helped to choose a winner to be the opening act at Hard Rock Calling in Hyde Park, London. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime for up-and-coming artists! We have also participated in public service announcements and perform at fundraising events throughout New England. We even participated in a World Championship Musical Chairs competition to raise money for Music Drives Us.
Urb’l Remedy: Why is this organization important to Jada?
Jada: This organization is so important to us because our exposure in music growing up inspired us to become the musicians we are today.
Studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between how well children do in school and music education. It is so important to keep music education thriving in all schools to nurture the academic and creative abilities in children. Some of the world’s top academic countries keep music education high on their list in the classroom. It’s not just an extracurricular activity. It has the ability to change lives.
When schools need to cut programs the ones that usually go first are sports, art, and music. Those are three very important outlets for kids to be creative, grow, and to let off some steam. And, they are very positive groups to be a part of.
Urb’l Remedy: How does music drive Jada?
Jada: Well, music is our outlet. We write songs about the moments that are happening in our lives. The moments that we are experiencing every day. Music drives us to continue to create for ourselves and our fans. It is a life force all its own.
Urb’l Remedy: Why do you think music and the freedom and opportunity to create, perform, and share it is important?
Jada: Music is therapy. If you are having a horrible day and you just want to hide from the world there is a song that can speak to you and help you out of that rut. There’s always that song that pulls you right out of a bad mood. Music is a universal language that speaks to all races, ethnicities, cultures, etc. It’s that one thing you can have all to yourself because you swear that artist wrote that song just for you. Music is incredibly special like that and it is so important to always have that outlet.
Urb’l Remedy: What can musicians and people in the industry in New England do to support this cause?
Jada: Well, there are tons of events and concerts you can attend. The proceeds go to the foundation. All of the events are super fun and highlight local and national artists. As we mentioned earlier, we were just a part of the Music Drives Us Musical Chairs Team competing to win the Guinness Book of World Records World Championship Musical Chairs competition. There are so many ways you can get involved. If you are interested in learning more, please visit musicdrivesus.org.
Urb’l Remedy: What can regular music fans in New England do? Is there anything those of us not living there can do?
Jada: If you don’t live in the area, you can donate right online or purchase from the online store. The guitar [string] bracelets are a big hit! Proceeds help keep music alive in New England!
Urb’l Remedy: What does the combination of music and charitable giving mean to you? Why so passionate about it?
Jada: We feel that combination is powerful. It means a lot to give to a foundation whose main goal is to help ones in need of positive influence. Music can give that. Just knowing the power of music keeps us passionate to continue giving to this great cause.
Urb’l Remedy: Any last words regarding the Music Drives Us Foundation, Jada being Music Drives Us Foundation ambassadors, music, or New England?
Jada: We are so proud to be Music Drives Us Foundation ambassadors! Our goal is to keep music thriving in New England and beyond!
Jada=Lauren+April+Elle+Jacyn
