As the world grapples with a devastating global pandemic, crippling unemployment, political division, civil unrest, social justice movements and countless individual struggles, the profound truth remains that, through music, we are not alone.
On January 22 as part of NAMM Believe in Music Week, Yamaha Entertainment Group will offer a sneak preview of “The Sound of Us,” a powerful documentary directed by nine-time Emmy award-winning producer Chris Gero that illustrates, during this critical time in history, that music gives sound to hope and courage, allows us to grieve and be honest, and is the great, universal language that unites us all.
The Sound of Us weaves inspiring stories about the beauty and goodness of music with interviews and performances by artists such as Ben Folds, Sarah McLachlan, Avery*Sunshine, Eric Whitacre, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Hiromi, Antonio Sanchez, Butch Walker, Will Wells, Patti Smith, and many more. Combined, these powerful vignettes illustrate how music heals us, gives us hope for the future through our children, keeps our heritage and history alive, allows us to have the most difficult of conversations, sheds light on current struggles, and continues to invite us back to the thing that unites us all.
“In my 30 years of making films and records, I have never once had the honor of producing a documentary that has held a greater social and humanitarian message and importance than this film,” said Gero, who also serves as chief artist relations executive, Yamaha Artist Relations Group/Yamaha Entertainment Group. “For me, 2020 became the catalyst of all the things wrong in the world that created the undeniable need to say something, and to move headlong into making this film. The purpose of this film is to demonstrate that music gives us purpose, passion, strength, and can make us uniquely good humans. It transcends language, religion, and division to unite, to inspire, and ultimately, to give us life!”
Gero notes that the documentary amplifies the Yamaha core philosophy of “creating excitement and cultural inspiration together with people around the world.”
“The process does not end with an instrument in someone’s hands,” added Gero. “That is the very beginning. This documentary highlights and aims, through inspiring story and performance, to give understanding to the inexplicable magic that happens from that moment on in the human experience. Deeply engrained in our work at Yamaha is a desire for every human on the planet to experience all that music gives us.”
“The Sound of Us” exclusive sneak preview for Believe in Music attendees will stream Friday, January 22, from 3-5 p.m. PST / 6-8 p.m. EST on the Believe in Music “Artist TV Channel.” Viewers must first register for Believe in Music here.
