Music in Common produces a variety of mission-driven projects that build upon our existing programs to address urgent issues of our time.
BLACK LEGACY PROJECT
The Black Legacy Project is a musical celebration of Black history to advance racial harmony, bridge-building, and partnership.
Developed in the summer of 2020, Black LP launched with week-long residencies in seven communities across the country - the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, Atlanta, Los Angeles, the Mississippi Delta, Denver, the Arkansas Ozarks, and Boise. These residencies brought together Black and White artists and artists of ALL backgrounds to record present day interpretations of songs central to the Black American experience and to compose originals that call for harmony, bridge-building, and partnership. Community roundtable discussions helped inform how these songs were interpreted and written.
A feature-length documentary film and seven-part docuseries are in post-production, highlighting the project and some of the many places it has traveled to. Two albums, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, feature 24 songs reimagined, written, and recorded in the project. A touring Black LP show performed by Music in Common brings the songs of the project to audiences nation-wide.
THE ABRAHAM JAMMS
Launched in 2010, the Abraham JAMMS aims to deepen understanding between Jews, Christians, and Muslims and to disrupt, mitigate, and transform the rising tide of faith-based hate, particularly anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim. Modeled on MIC's flagship JAMMS (Journalism as Music, Multimedia, and Songwriting) methodology, participants find common ground while learning about each other's faith through facilitated conversation and collaborative song-writing. To date, nearly three dozen Abraham JAMMS sessions have taken place throughout the U.S., Israel, and the West Bank resulting in more than 30 powerful songs written. An album of some of these songs recorded by musicians representing the three faiths is planned for 2027, accompanied by a documentary short.​
UNITED SONGS OF AMERICA
A 2022 Pew Center analysis finds that the Democratic and Republican parties have pushed further to the left and right fringes, leaving a rapidly diminishing political center where many Americans feel like they have no political home or voice. United Songs of America (U.S.A.) aims to bridge the political divisiveness and culture wars ripping apart our nation to prevent politically and socially motivated acts of violence from erupting. U.S.A pairs conservative, liberal, and centrist songwriters to compose songs addressing the most debated and polarizing issues of our time. The songs will be recorded and released as well as performed live by the Music in Common touring band. The project is slated to launch in summer 2026 to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding.​​​
