On September 8th, N.E.D. celebrated the release of their self-titled debut CD and the release of drummer Nagarsheth’s new book, Music & Cancer: A Prescription for Healing, with a very successful fundraiser at Sushi Samba in NYC. Thanks to the generous donations of attendees, we raised $2,294 for N.E.D. Fund of the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation. Look out for Dr. Nimesh Nargarsheth’s guest blog on iVillage’s “Your Total Health” section as part of a feature on the band. Check out pics from the party below.

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The Lifetime Television Network has been  airing an N.E.D. Public Service Spot throughout September to coincide with Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month.  Take a look at the PSA below.

Babatunde Lea’s vast experience of nearly forty years as a master percussionist, as well as the spiritual depth and resonance he brings to everything he does, has made him one of the most esteemed musicians of the past half century. For his fourth Motéma release, and his sixth as a leader, Lea has recorded a tribute to one of his most influential mentors, the legendary jazz vocalist and composer Leon Thomas. The idea for the project, titled UMBO WETI after the yodeling singing style of the Twa People of central Africa which influenced Thomas’ signature sound, came to Lea shortly after the singer passed in 1999 and has taken nearly a decade to bring to reality. Lea’s ten- year labor of love reaches powerful fruition on UMBO WETI, which features a stellar and inspired band of improvisers – Dwight Trible (vocals), Ernie Watts (tenor sax), Gary Brown (bass), Patrice Rushen (piano) – performing the songs of Thomas and others led with passionate fire by Lea on drums and percussion.

Download MP3: “Boom Boom”

More info on Babatunde Lea
Purchase Umbo Weti: A Tribute To Leon Thomas