40 Hour Jammin 2020
The 40 Hour Jammin was created by renowned Brisbane violinist and composer Shenzo Gregorio in response to his mother contracting Motor Neurone Disease. Feeling a sense of wanting to help those who have this crippling disease Shenzo pitched the idea to the MND and Me Foundation to hold a fundraising event where he would play for 40 hours non stop. Some 50 musicians joined Shenzo to help him towards reaching his goal and since then, events have been held in Brisbane and on Magnetic Island.
It’s on again this year for the fourth time – on the weekend of November 14 & 15 at the Kendall Permaculture Farm at Kin Kin in the Queensland Sunshine Coast hinterland. So far there will be over 60 musicians and artists (including Master Rod Ferguson) who have gladly rallied behind Shenzo again to help this worthwhile cause.
Because of Covid-19, this event has had to be scaled down considerably. There will still be 40 hours of music, but mostly with local Qld artists. Funds raised will be split with MND and the artists performing (who have all been out of work for over 7 months). The artists are also encouraged (as I will) to donate their fees to MND.
As the event and fundraiser evolves we will be updating this post. We will be doing updates on Facebook but for those that don’t use that platform please come back to this post regularly and check the latest information on how to support this worthy cause. Master Rod will have a collection jar at classes and you can also make donations via your instructor. Last year the Academy managed to raise over $3,000 although significant it is only a small drop in the ocean of need so please do what you can to help this worthy cause.