Amnesty International, Toast to Freedom
Apogee’s Studio on Berkeley Street hosts the Art for Amnesty Band’s Tonight Show with Jay Leno rehearsal
Back row (l-r): Gaby Moreno, Carl Calton, Jonny Lang, Leland Sklar, Justin Guip, Vida Simon, Dean Parks, Essie Jain
Front row (l-r): Jeffery Young, Larry Campbell, Kris Kristofferson, Teresa Williams, Shawn Mullins
Thursday May 3rd, Amnesty International celebrates 50 years of service to human rights. In honor of this event, more than 50 prominent musicians have come together to release an original recorded song, “Toast to Freedom” – a project that began in Levon Helm’s Studio in upstate New York and grew to include tracks from studios all over the world.
The song, which was produced by legendary producer/mixer and close Apogee friend Bob Clearmountain, will become available May 3rd, the day of the anniversary, as well as performed live on the Jay Leno Show that night.
Clearmountain, Apogee CEO Betty Bennett and members of Apogee staff have dedicated countless hours to Amnesty International throughout the years and continue to show their support in any way possible. Jochen Wilms, the executive producer behind “Toast To Freedom,” had this to say:
“Behind every great project, there are always great people that make it all possible. Since the start of “Toast to Freedom”, there have been two people in particular behind the scenes who have delivered technology, resources, heart, passion and soul to this collaborative effort in an outstanding way.
“From the barn in Woodstock, where the project originated, to the many studios throughout the world and back to Apogee’s Studio. Without the support of Bob Clearmountain and Betty Bennett, the “Toast to Freedom” project would never have been possible.”
-Jochen Wilms, Executive producer, “Toast to Freedom”
Bob Clearmountain is one of the leading producers in the music world, and with all his competence, expertise, skills and assistance from Brandon Duncan, he shifted a multi-artist song into a world-class production. Along side him, Apogee’s CEO Betty Bennett offered legendary technology, never-ending resources, and support from the Apogee team all over the world: From the barn in Woodstock, where the project originated, to the many studios throughout the world and back to Apogee’s Studio. Without the support of Bob Clearmountain and Betty Bennett, the “Toast to Freedom” project would never have been possible.”
On Wednesday May 2, Apogee opened their studio to the rehearsal for the “Toast to Freedom” debut performance, airing on The Jay Leno show Thursday, May 3. Artists included Kris Kristofferson, Larry Campbell, Carl Carlton, Theresa Williams, Shawn Mullins, Jonny Lang, Vida Simon, Essie Jain and many others.
For more info on the “Toast to Freedom” project, please check out www.toasttofreedom.org/
For more info on how to get involved with Amnesty International, please check out www.amnesty.org/
Exclusive behind-the-scenes photos of the “Toast to Freedom” project – from its inception to the final rehearsal at Apogee Studio.
Photo Copyright: Art for Amnesty
