Marcus Miller works with music to highlight slavery

Grammy award winning bass player Marcus Miller is using his music as a vehicle to spread awareness and educate people about slavery. As a spokesman for Unesco Miller recently worked with French African musicians in Paris at an event linked with the 20th anniversary of their Slave Route Project. Resistance and resilience of those affected by slavery and those who fought to end it are Miller’s focus.

Slavery is still very much an issue. Recent news stories have highlighted people trafficking and enforced labour even in developed nations and economies. 

Ali Moussa Iye, head of the Slave Route Project said, “People of all kinds suffered from slavery and people of all kinds profited from slavery just like so many people are now profiting from modern-day slavery. Racism is a direct result of this monstrous heritage and we need to increase the dialogue about this. The approach is not to build guilt but to achieve reconciliation. We need to know history in a different, more pluralistic way so that we can draw lessons and better understand our societies.”

Marcus Miller appears along with Carleen Andeson at the EFG London Jazz Festival on Friday 21st November at Royal Festival Hall. He has composed and produced music for major artists including David Sanborn, Herbie Hancock, George Benson, Luther Vandross and, in particular, Miles Davis. He has featured on countless other recordings including many as leader.

Read the article 'Breaking silence on he slave trade' by A.D McKenzie here.