Music commemorates Daniel Pearl

The Jewish Student Organization hosted a concert downtown in Daniel Pearl's memory.

By Daniel Everson

Published Oct. 30, 2008

The Jewish Student Organization hosted a concert at Mojo's on Tuesday night to raise awareness of human unity through music.

In conjunction with Daniel Pearl World Music Days, the concert's theme was "Harmony for Humanity." Before featured band Kinetix took the stage, the Save Praise Dance Ministry of Columbia opened the event and The Northwoods performed a folksy mix of guitar, percussion and beatboxing.

JSO Special Events Chairwoman Stephanie Levy served as emcee.

"The reason we are here is to commemorate the life of Daniel Pearl," Levy said, adding that Pearl believed in the universal language of music to bring people of all races and creeds together. Levy formerly worked for The Maneater.

Levy thanked the concert's sponsors, the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City and the Jewish Federation of St. Louis.

The Save Praise Dance Ministry opened with a dramatic solo dance, accompanied by a gospel recording that proclaimed, "In this sanctuary, God is here."

After a few more gospel dance numbers, The Northwoods started their act by beatboxing, then transitioned smoothly into their first song. The group performed several tracks from their album Maybe Just Age and concluded with a beatboxing match between its two members, Eli Palnik and Jeremy Shanas.

Sophomore Kyle Bumberry went to see Kinetix with his friends, but he said he appreciated seeing The Northwoods too.

"I liked the beatboxing," he said. "I thought that was pretty cool."

Kinetix drew the largest crowd to the dance floor as the concert's final act. The five-piece band, which includes three Jewish members, dedicated several songs to Pearl's memory.

Sophomore Dan Waxman said Kinetix is his favorite band, and he was thrilled to see them for free, especially after paying good money to see them this summer.

"They played one of the greatest shows (at the festival), and so I kept listening to them," Waxman said. "Now they're here. And I would miss anything to see their show."

Waxman introduced the band to Bumberry, who had never seen them live.

"They definitely have a lot of potential," Bumberry said.

Senior Brian Weiss decided to come to the free concert after seeing a poster for it that afternoon. Kinetix impressed him enough that he called his girlfriend in the middle of the show and invited her to join him.

"Even if it wasn't free, it would have been a good show," he said.

Hillel board member Barbara Fairman is the mother of Kinetix bassist Josh Fairman.

She said she enjoyed seeing the band play at home.

Josh Fairman and electric guitarist Jordan Linit are Columbia natives.

"When I think of Daniel Pearl, I think of somebody who was looking for the truth," Fairman said. "These kids play their hearts out. They want to make people feel good."

She said using music for this purpose is an idea Pearl would embrace.

"Music is one language people can understand, that can make them feel good about being together, no matter where you are," she said.

The Northwoods also appreciated the opportunity to be a part of the event.

"It's cool to bring musicians together and for them play for a specific cause," Palnik said. "I think it's very important to gather as young artists and remember what we're playing for."