NBC Nightly News’ Making A Difference segment reported in January 2013 that Stockton California was “a city in desperate need of change” and the focus was Micheal Tubbs, a 22 year old elected to city council promoting REINVENT Stockton, CA. Echoing Tubbs efforts, is another Stockton Son, Joshua David Washington. He too is 22 years old and on a mission to artistically give back and Reclaim Stockton – giving back something beautiful for the city. The Reclaim Concert is dedicated to the city of Stockton in hopes of inspiring its people through the power of music to Believe, again.
The Zion Academy of Music sponsors the Reclaim Concert in Stockton, California featuring pianist Joshua David Washington and special guest Canadian RnB recording artist Joanna Borromeo with Councilman Michael Tubbs as speaker, Friday, April 12, 2013 at beautiful Weber Point. Gates open at 4:30pm and the concert begins at 5:00pm. Admission is free and concert goers receive a Reclaim wrist band good for the weekend at participating supporting merchants, like Moo Moos Burger Barn. Several supporting partners of The Reclaim Concert are: the City of Stockton, Universal Xperience, City Councilman Michael Tubbs and Promoting Purpose Magazine.
Pianist Joshua Washington native to Stockton, California, designed the Reclaim Concert to inspire a city and its people, counteracting doubt and feelings of hopelessness. Washington says, ''The Reclaim Concert is an artistic effort to serve as a catalyst that there is still hope in Stockton, and to regain ownership of our city. We reject any and all forms of apathy toward Stockton and we strive to bring out the beauty that already exists within her. Once the mindset is changed, actions will follow.'' Washington believes that music is a very powerful inspirational tool that can change hearts and attitudes.
Families and their children can expect LIVE music from Washington and his band, Current Personae that includes vocalists, bass, drums, organ and guitars along with a 30 piece orchestra which includes, strings, woodwinds and brass. A large majority of the musicians were recruited from University of the Pacific where Washington graduated in 2012 earning a bachelor’s degree in Music Composition.
Musicians and singers of all ages and skill levels are encourage to bring their instruments and voices to the concert and perform with the orchestra and band in a community play/sing-a-long of 'Change The World' written by multi-Grammy Award songwriter producer Tommy Sims, one of Washington's major musical influences. Sims wrote 'Change The World' at the age of 16 and later collaborated with Eric Clapton earning a Grammy for Song of the Year.
Washington and Reclaim supporters seek to make the concert an annual event to inspire through music but to also attract new businesses to downtown Stockton and stimulate economic growth for existing businesses. The long term goal is to develop a national model for Reclaim to be replicated in other cities like Stockton.