Let your 'VOICES' be heard!
The Tufts Daily
Issue date: 11/17/06 Section: Arts

Last night at Brown and Brew, the annual Asian American Concert "VOICES" was held by the Asian Community at Tufts. This year, "VOICES" was co-sponsored by the Korean Students Association, the Chinese Students Association, the Tufts Association of South Asians and the TCU Senate. Held during Tufts Asian-American Month, "VOICES" celebrated the importance of the strong Asian-American presence in the performing arts.

"We hope that this event will bring the Tufts community together and help to increase awareness of Asian-Americans as well as Asian-American Month, especially Asian-Americans in the performing arts," ACT President Chao Pan said.

The event showcased singer/songwriter Manisha Shahane, singer/songwriter Kevin So and comedian Paul Kim.

Shahane, a graduate of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, played to an enthused crowd, even inviting a fellow Tufts student to perform beside her during her encore. Shahane's style is rooted in folk, jazz and Indian traditions and her delicate, thoughtful and slightly anecdotal lyrics were wonderfully juxtaposed with her strong vocals. "It's all about story-telling," Shahane said.

According to her Web site, Shahane co-founded and directed the Ambassachords, a co-ed a cappella group based within the Fletcher School. Shahane has performed in numerous jazz and blues venues in Manhattan, Washington D.C., Houston, Boston and Cambridge. Recently, Shahane released her album entitled, "Peace in Progress."

Kevin So, an accomplished songwriter, guitarist, vocalist and keyboardist, also performed. With an eclectic style rooted in R&B, jazz and folk, So's sound is anything but unique. According to his Web site, So has been called "a pioneer for Asian-American artists in the 21st century," performing at events such as the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival. Having released 11 CDs independently in the past 10 years and sold over 15,000 albums, Kevin So shows no signs of stopping: His album entitled, "A Brighter Day," is to be released in February of 2007.

Whether So sang in the style of folk or rhythm and blues, his voice adapted almost effortlessly. So, an extremely energetic performer, drew all of Brown and Brew into an animated sing-a-long as he performed his album's title track.

California native Kim, also known as "PK," sent Brown and Brew on a wild ride of laughter. Singing a Korean food rap and poking fun at his childhood, Kim preached, "You gotta laugh at yourselves." Kim is affiliated with Prokreation Productions, which, according to its Web site, "is a progressive Asian-American entertainment site" that sponsors two events annually: Kollaboration and Asian Elevation, which help to promote and expose local rising entertainers.

That was the same message that pervaded "VOICES" last night. "Despite the differences between the performers stylistically and vocally, they shared a common message of embracing diversity," Tufts freshman Nick Mylet said.

Manisha Shahane concluded, "It was a privilege and an honor to be back at Tufts. Music can spread the message of community, and that is what an event such as this one is all about."

- Julia Feltus

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