We are a community of musicians and artists taking to the stage to bring in donations for local charities. Our movement is called ‘Jam for Youth’ - and its our mission to help contribute to the lives of young people. All of the money we make during the events we host will be donated to ‘The Bridge for Youth' which is a safe place for teens and children across the Twin Cities. The organization provides housing, food, clothing, and other needs to youths struggling with financial complications, homelessness or instability in their homes.
We didnt just get out of bed one day and Jam for Youth became a reality. Theres a story behind our inspiration.
It all started on a Saturday, the week before halloween when Sylvan Zylstra and I hosted a "Jam night". We invited a handful of talented friends to come down and play music together, our only expectation: to have fun.
At first we had just a couple musicians over at a time, but after weeks went by the people came rolling in. Some even came to hang out and just listen. We went from a one off jam to a full on weekend ritual. We played our ecclectic experimental music, our psychedelic jam outs and our funky rock and roll grooves from dusk till dawn. We affectionately named our little evening soiree "Jam and Toast" after our improvisational and celebratory tendencies.
Matthew James Palmquist of Moonshie Sax was one of those talented individuals. A phenom on the saxophone, and a heart of gold.
Matthew:
I had the idea to start hosting benefit shows two years ago but i didnt know what I wanted the benefit to be for. One day I was out long boarding and this kid asked if he could use my long board and I was like sure! I sat down and he was rolling around. When he gave me the long board back he said "Do you know what the bridge for youth is?" and I said "No what is it?" At the time I was looking for a benefit to give back to. He said "The bridge for youth is a shelter for kids who are in bad family situations to go to and eat, sleep and get counseling all for free." And I was like, thats it! Thats the benefit that we should do it for. Just recently we brought the idea to life and came up with a name "Jam for Youth".
Jam and Toast gave me an enviroment of wonderful friends and musicians, and when I threw the idea out everyone was like "Yeah lets do it!" Without Jam and Toast it wouldnt have been an event it wouldve just been an idea. Everybody came together around the idea and they supported it and we all combined our talents to make it happen. Wether its someone making the flyer or someone going out and putting the flyers up. We are all motivated by the cause.
I wanna show kids in the community that the music scene in Minneapolis does care about them and that we can use music and art to give back to them. Our overall goal is to make a difference, a long term difference.
Sylvan, a talented guitarist and musician is another member of our team. He keeps everyone level headed and on task. One might say hes like the Freddy to our mystery machine.
Sylvan:
Its a benefit show, its always going to be a benefit. None of us are making any money off of it and the only money that doesn't go to A Bridge for Youth goes right back into making sure we can keep these going. Up front we've all invested our own time and money to try to get started. This isnt just a bunch of people trying to make a name for themselves and get famous, its not self aggrandizing. Its all about benefiting others.
I think the reason why its been so easy to find people to be apart of this is because a lot of them have had friends or have themselves struggled with homelessness or the stability of their home. Thats why a lot of us have pursued music and art as a way of expressing ourselves, because of the extreme emotion some of us have dealt with in our lives. You are going to see a lot of genuine people and really genuine acts. Its something we are all working together to build.
Music bridges gaps and brings people together. We're all dancing to the same rhythm, and we're all feeling it. Its an experience that can be shared.
Joe Nagy, a multitalented musician with a love for saxophone and trumpet, gives his all to support a cause he believes in. The youngest member of Jam and Toast, doesnt let his age determine his maturity.
Joe:
We have a wide variety of people who come from different backgrounds in the minnesota area. We have different upbringings but come together through music and art - one common goal that unites us, and through that goal has created a community thats unlike anything else ive experienced. Its a unique bond that not only feels like friendship but almost like a second family. None of the artists are in competetion, we are here to support each other and the surrounding community.
Matt:
Music to me is the most interesting science experiment in the entire world. Theres a lot of parallels with music and life in general, they sync up so well. Music is life. To me, not for everyone, but for me it saved my life and I owe it to music to appreciate it for the rest of my life. Thanks music, I appreciate you!
Our next show is on May 13th at the Pourhouse downtown Mpls, 10$ at the door or 7$ with canned goods. Our lineup will include a variety of up and coming hip hop, pop and r&b artists. Our official lineup includes:
Goop City
Reed Benjamin
Vinny Crook$
Xaria
Symone Smash It
Phillip Saint John
We plan to continue hosting events in the Twin Cities and expand our range of genres and artists to include edm, rock, funk, and much more.
If you live in the Twin Cities, or if you're in some far off land, come check out ‘Jam for Youth’ and help the children of the community through the power of great music.
Flyer and link to event page below:
https://www.facebook.com/events/158707811614907/