about.
Singer, songwriter, producer and musical entrepreneur. Asked to describe himself, James Stewart offers simply: “musician”. Could he elaborate? He suggests “Couldn't I just hum it instead?”
news.
‘Khululeka [Freedom]’ ROCKS THE WEB. An International Anthem for Aids and Archbishop Tutu set to embrace the world – launching in December . One million downloads, one world record – one Big difference. And it all started with one small tune. ‘Khululeka [Freedom]’ the song, featuring the voice of iconic humanitarian, Nobel peace prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu, releases from this website on December 1 2008.
‘The idea is a simple one’, says James – cowriter of this emotional and inspirational song. We’re asking anybody and everybody with internet access to forward this song to their database. The end goal is for this Song of Hope Funds to envelop the world. Everyone is invited. Listen, Share, Watch the Video and if you’re so inclined download it. All funds after disclosed costs will be donated to The Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation in South Africa”.
We’re shooting high – we want 1 million downloads and if that target is met, it'll mean a new Guinness World record for the first charity single to go top-ten and achieve a million sales by download only.
INSPIRATIONAL, INTERNATIONAL, INTERNET! 'What I really like is that we can raise millions for people who need it and I can just sit here in Cape Town and write music.' Humble South African born, internationally acclaimed musician, James Stewart whose song got it all started, won't make a cent as an artist out of the Anthem for AIDS campaign. But he's not alone in his altruism, nor in growing the project. When he sent the original 'chord progression and melody' to his friend in New York , 11-time Emmy Award winner AJ Gundell, AJ sat up and listened. 'Sounds like Gold to me,' he said, and passed it on to Grammy Award winner Julie 'From a distance' Gold for some lyrics. And back to Gundell for a ‘middle bit’ and some ‘arrangement tweaks’. Between them, the Internet and a hot Cape Town/Manhattan line, they quickly had the makings of a very special song.
Through 'a happy set of coincidences' it was discovered and snapped up by Mary Miyata, Corporate Marketing Manager of the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation. Persuading Tutu himself to voice some of the lyrics was easy, pinning him down for recording less so, factoring in his world peace-making trips to the Middle East and Darfur . Consumate professional that he is, The Arch eventually gave them a superb one-take recording session with a co-production between the legendary Joe Arthur / Victor Masondo and James Stewart at his Cape Town Street Level Studios.
The song was blessed and a million dollar charity hit was born.
Feel the heart of the world, Beating for creation
Let our love fall like rain, Drowning all our hatred,
Lift us up, way up from all we've become, 'til our souls, like soaring birds are finally free
We'll finally be free, When we share unconditionally, You and me will finally be free
Hear the voice of the world, Singing from each nation, We're a brave choir of passionate fools, Who believe it's still not too late For Love
Lifts us up
Lead us back
Back to Love
