In Troubled Times: Dan and Claudia Zanes Step Up

I’ve meaning to tell you about this. The weekend’s events jogged my memory.

Dan and Claudia Zanes performing at the Chrysalis, June 18, 2022, IAT

Musicians Dan and Claudia Zanes, seen above performing at the Chrysalis in Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods, have released a new album. It’s called Pieces of Home.

Image from Dan & Claudia Zanes social media

The duo, who moved from Brooklyn to Baltimore in 2019, describe themselves as:

Haitian-American music therapist / jazz vocalist Claudia Zanes and Grammy award winning performer Dan Zanes. We play electric folk music for all-ages.

One of the deciding factors in moving to Charm City was an invitation to become a part of a Baltimore nonprofit called “Our Joyful Noise.”

Our Joyful Noise Offers Happiness and Healing Through Music, Max Weiss, Baltimore Magazine

Our Joyful Noise is a network of area musicians who bring their talents to traditionally underserved audiences, such as women facing incarceration, autistic children and their families, cancer patients, veterans experiencing homelessness, seniors with disabilities, patients with Alzheimer’s and other memory issues, and youth and adults in the Franklin Square neighborhood in West Baltimore. Their goals is to “perform in spaces where they can do the most good.”

As (Dan) Zanes explained on their Instagram page,

OJN has made it easy for us and for many other musicians to connect with different communities around the city who don't always get the good stuff. The OJN model is simple, soulful, and strong - coming from the heart with an understanding that active participation in the well being of our neighbors is essential to our own well being. These days we're all asking ourselves "what's my purpose, how can I be of service in these troubled times?"

That’s an excellent question. How can I be of service in these troubled times?

Dan and Claudia stepped up over the weekend with a heartfelt post on social media.

Damn, not again!

This current wave of negativity towards Haitian people here in the U.S. is totally out of control.

Here's something we can do to push back: Let's crank up the support for our local Haitian restaurants (and other businesses) and dig into the music.

Like the people, the cuisine and sounds are beautiful.

Our post today is for the folks who want to learn more but may need some encouragement.

What follows is a primer on Haitian food and music, including a playlist. Go to their Instagram to read the whole thing.

Pieces of Home, on the Smithsonian Folkways label, is available in a variety of formats . If you need a little something to get you going this morning, you just might want to Fly Like a Raven.

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