For many local adolescents, music provides a positive and safe outlet for self-expression and stress relief. However, due to continuing cuts to local education dollars, many local schools have dramatically scaled back arts programs, or cut them altogether—leaving our communities neediest youth without access to music.
But thanks to the Youth Connections Foundation of San Jose, one group of local musicians are gearing up to release a professionally produced album. The EP, titled Oxygen, will feature hip-hop, soul and rap. It was created by San Jose middle school and high school participants in the YCF’s Underserved and Gifted program—an after-school program aimed at helping the city’s less fortunate teens achieve their artistic ambitions.
For the majority of the young musicians working on the album, Oxygen represents a breath of fresh air, and perhaps a fresh start. “For most of our youth, this is the first release of their lives and will create a standard for them as they move into their own careers,” says Ronnie Lee, executive producer of Oxygen.
Lee says the youth involved in the project not only got the opportunity to express themselves, they also got a chance to see how professional musicians work. The group took a trip to Studio Trilogy in San Francisco last summer—where artists including Kanye West and Lady Gaga have recorded. They used the studio to record the produce and record the song “Medicated.”
Philip Solis, a recreation supervisor with San Jose’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services division, created the program. He says helping underserved teens and young adults pursue their artistic passion is his passion.
“This project is everything Underserved and Gifted stands for, a professional album created by talented young artists produced by Ronnie, a professional and talented artist,” Solis said. “The young artists a part of this project have made their dreams and goals a reality and have grown so much professionally.”
Yvan Gonzalez, a 19-year-old producer and media mentor with the Underserved and Gifted program at the Alma Community Center, says he is looking forward to the release of Oxygen. Gonzalez, who is featured on the EP’s sixth track, says he has faced adversity growing up in San Jose’s Alma neighborhood. Yet, while he and many of the other musicians featured on Oxygen may have come from a place where they feel underserved, he says they are all gifted.
The Oxygen EP is scheduled for an April 27th release exclusively at oxygentheep.com. It is available for pre-order now.
.Underserved and Gifted Program Helps Local Musicians Achieve Musical Goals
