#joekye

Pictures from the Bernie Sanders Rally!

What an transcendental experience! 20 THOUSAND people came out to see Bernie talk about the state of our country and all that it’s missing.

I got to play for this crowd, delivering a set of my original music, talking about my immigrant experience, and ultimately leading them in the national anthem on the violin, Jimi Hendrix style. Our penultimate song, We Shall Overcome, had the entire crowd singing–people of all colors, ages, and genders…

I have never been prouder to say that I am an American.

UNFORTUNATELY, the United States government doesn’t actually recognize this–I moved to his country as a dependent of my dad, an international student, and was subsequently not given a pathway to citizenship. Only after marrying my beautiful wife in 2012 was I given a green card.

How is it that in the country that boasts the top universities in the world, we do not offer a path to residency for those that attain a higher degree?

How is it that in a country founded by immigrants, my sister, who arrived here at the age of three, must apply for a work visa (read: $$$, lawyers, hoops) to contribute to this economy at her employer, Amazon?

How is it that in a country whose ingenuity has been built on the constant flux of new ideas from all over the world, that I’ll finally be able to apply for citizenship in 2017, some 24 years after I arrived on its shores at the age of six?

Wow. What a brilliant tour. We sang with choirs in Boston, jammed on porches in DC, and did our first live feed show from Central Park, NYC. Thank you all for showing up, supporting, and feeling the music! 

My gift to you: three live recordings from our 3/11 show at the Basement Bar in Brooklyn NYC. They feature internationally-acclaimed percussionist William Catanzaro and inventive composer-pianist Josh Ehrlich. This is just a little taste--we have a LIVE ALBUM with some tour favorites coming to you soon!

Next is opening for Yo-Yo Ma at the Mondavi Center (May 11), Sacramento’s Concerts in the Park (May 20), A JOE KYE EXTRAVAGANZA at Beatnik Studios (June 10). Keep up to date by signing up for the mailing list: www.joekye.com/contact. 

Show info: www.joekye.com/shows