HAATz Off to Pioneer Teachers of MPS Column:
By Taki S. Raton
The soulful harmony and pulsating backbeat rhythm penetrates the audience rocking to their spirited African tonal flow at The Cove near Lake Geneva on a Saturday evening in late May.
The Cove is just one of upwards of 30 venues that the five member band KOJO has delighted patrons and devoted followers from the Cove’s May 29 engagement to private parties scheduled through this current holiday season.
KOJO performs at HAAT luncheon. (photo by Reynaldo Hernandez)
Booking KOJO in advance is highly recommended as they have performed all over Wisconsin in such venues as the Horseshoe Lounge in Grand Chute, the Buzz Bar, West Bend’s Down-town Music, the Tiki Bar in Elkhart Lake, Port Washington, Wisconsin’s Sundance, and of course the Ale House, Bastille Days, Harborfest, Cajunfest, The Timbuktu Lounge right here in Milwaukee as well as Summerfest and the State Fair.
Private function appearances include weddings, birthdays, corporate affairs, golf club outings and the specialty Jamaican Tourist Board promotion events.
“No one in Milwaukee can match their enthusiasm, dedication to our community and commitment to using their talents to celebrate music from the African Diaspora,” says Vickie Singh.
Singh is founder and director of the Historic African American Teachers (HAAT) of Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) project. HAAT was established to recognize and celebrate the exceptional efforts made by these educators who were the earliest pioneers of African ancestry to be formally hired as teachers in the MPS system.
These trailblazers are distinguished for breaking down racial barriers and for teaching and inspiring many young people of their day who have since become in their adult professions civic, government, corporate and educational leaders.
HAAT has sponsored monthly Saturday luncheons at Serb Hall, 5101 West Oklahoma Avenue, to honor what will be a total by this coming March of 144 African American educators and administrators who were the first to start with Milwaukee Public Schools as late as 1934. To date, HAAT has honored 44 teachers over five scheduled Serb gatherings from this past July through November.
KOJO was honored as the first booked entertainment for the July luncheon and additionally serves as original supportive members of HAAT.
Founded by Caribbean born artist Selo Jules, KOJO is an authentic mix of Calypso, Soca, Reggae, Ska, Dancehall, French arrangements, Cadass, Cajun, La Comet, Candance, Latin, Pop, R&B, and Rock. Genre model influences according to Jules include Bob Marley, Third World, Terry Tanger, and Rick Ocain.
Over the last twenty years of its performance history, the five member KOJO has opened concerts for such artist as Jimmy Cliff, Third World, Yellow Man, Ziggy Marley’s Melody Makers, Judy Mowatt, Buckwheat, and The Nevelle Brothers.
They have been nominated and won six WAMI awards. WAMI is the Wisconsin Area Music Industry, a volunteer organization dedicated over the past 30 years since 1980 to the education and recognition of achievements and accomplishments of individuals in the Wisconsin music industry.
Among the thirty-five categories, KOJO stands with six other nominees in the Reggae grouping for consideration in this year’s 2010 30th Annual WAMI Awards selection.
A native islander, Jules knows the hardships for earthquake victims. During the early months of this year, KOJO performed a series of night performance fundraisers for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.
“KOJO brings the house down and it is thrilling to watch them work their magic,” says Singh. She adds that HAAT is looking forward to booking them for schedules in upcoming Serb Hall luncheons.
For booking availability, KOJO can be contacted at their website, http://www.kojo.us or at deck7@sbcglobal.net.
For any additional information on HAAT, please contact Singh at (414) 551-2107 or visit the Historic African American Teachers’ office at 1840 North Farwell.