Kora All-Africa Music Awards Nominees Included American Icons

The “Kora ALL-Africa Music Awards” Kora included a stunning line-up of American artist in the category “Best Diaspora Afro-American”. Will Smith, Maria Carey, Oliver, 50 Cents and surprise nominee, Daphne, Alabama Actress/Vocalist Diane Cameron, USA Artist in Residence to the Republic Benin

The Kora All-Africa Music Award is an annual music ceremony created by Coovi Adjovi in 1994. The objective of the awards is to celebrate the best of African music and to promote African culture by awarding a select number of artists distinguishing themselves by producing an album of exceptional musical quality.

Will Smith won the nomination and although Diane Cameron was the least known of the American Nominees many of her fans believed she would emerge as the choice from the list of celebrated candidates. Ms. Cameron’s CD and companion video “Reconciliation” celebrates a new African music art form Diasjazzpora and promotes African culture directly. Her singles, “Come Back Home to Africa”,”Ganvie”, “Tree of Forgetfulness, and South Africa are considered major contributors to the Reconciliation Renaissance between Africa and its American Diaspora. The Music is also contributing to a new excitement among artist for this art form and bringing attention to many of Africa’s historic sites associated with the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. As part of her social responsibility, Ms. Cameron is an activist for research on Sickle-Cell Anemia and the availability of health care for the thousands of children in Africa who suffer with this disease.

The Kora All-Africa Music Awards was the first non-sporting Africa wide event to be televised live throughout Africa, Europe and Asia. The first Awards ceremony took place at Johannesburg, South Africa in 1996. In its first year the Awards were broadcast to 45 countries. The broadcast has increased to 85 countries with over 700 million live viewers across Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the United States.

The USA Winners of 2004 were Angie Stone and R. Kelly. The Ceremony took place December 4th, 2005 in Kwa-Zula Natal South Africa.


Benin American Music Management
BAMM
03 B.P. 3901
COTONOU, BENIN
678 457 7984 - USA
beninamericanmusicmgmt@yahoo.com

Diane Cameron

Diane Cameron is a multitalented performing and recording artist with increasing recognition in the United States and Africa for creation of a new art form devoted to Africa’s Diaspora. As a singer, songwriter, actress, and acting instructor Ms. Cameron has devoted her career to the Diasjazzpora movement and promotion of African Art forms. Originally from Chicago, Illinois Diane Cameron entered the entertainment arena as a jazz dancer and make-up artist for Ebony Fashion Fair. Diane auditioned for her first theater role and won the part, she was cast in the leading role for the Hilton Head Island, SC production as Miss Sherman in the play FAME in 1991. Ms Cameron went on to be featured in Big River, Prelude to a Kiss, Merrily We Roll Along, and Midsummer's Night Dream. She was nominated for Best Actress of The Year Award from the Theater Jacksonville production of August Wilson's "The Piano Lesson" in 1997. Here she tackled the complex characterization of the lead female role of Bernice.


In 1997, Diane concentrated on organizing and producing benefit concerts, singing and songwriting. The proceeds from her musical contribution on the compilation J.A.N.E. CD "Africa's Fruit" benefited homeless and disadvantaged women in Jacksonville, FL. In 1998, she organized and produced the S.W.I.N.G.benefit concert for St. Augustine, FL, & this effort contributed toward a children's playground. Diane has written over 50 songs from the heart and usually addresses issues that affect women. She says "It never fails to happen; when I write a song about my life, I'm singing about someone else's."

In 1997, Diane concentrated on organizing and producing benefit concerts, singing and songwriting. The proceeds from her musical contribution on the compilation J.A.N.E. CD "Africa's Fruit" benefited homeless and disadvantaged women in Jacksonville, FL. In 1998, she organized and produced the S.W.I.N.G. benefit concert for St. Augustine, FL, & this effort contributed toward a children's playground. Diane has written over 50 songs from the heart and usually addresses issues that affect women. She says "It never fails to happen; when I write a song about my life, I'm singing about someone else's."

In 1999, Diane toured Memphis, TN at Alfred's and the Gibson Guitar Center. She received great reviews from the Beale Street crowd. In 2000, Ms. Cameron completed a 3-month tour in Tokyo, Japan with the Phil Morrison Trio Ms. Cameron toured Chicago in 2001 where she performed at the famed KoKo Taylor, Buddy Guy's Legends and Lee's Unleaded Blues Club. She has appeared in Atlanta at the Bayou Room, Cafe 290, Breezes, and City of Douglasville, GA., Summer Concert Series Festival.

In Alabama and Florida, Diane has played at some of the Eastern Shore’s finest establishments such as in San Destin, Florida at the San Destin Resort and Conference Center, Florabama as well as numerous private engagements and weddings. Diane has made guest appearances at the Daphne, Alabama Jazz in The Plaza, and Cotton Club New York Night at the Daphne Civic Center. She also performed for the 2002 and 2003 Alabama Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce National Shrimp Festival.

Other Alabama Eastern Shore appearances include Kiva Dunes, Beach Club, Guy's Gumbo, Oleander Resort, Marriott Grand Hotel, Legions Club, Theater 98 and more...Diane has produced several youth theatrical productions, was a guest on channel 44 Mobile's "Cover Stories" hosted by Nona Simmons. Diane has written several plays, published an environmental skit for the City of Mobile's "Keep Mobile Beautiful" organization and is currently planning a book signing tour to promote her first children's book "Fred & Felix".

Diane was selected U.S.A. Artist in Residence to the 2004 Republic of Benin Gospel & Roots Festival and reappointed in 2005. The State of Alabama USA passed a Resolution recognizing Ms. Cameron’s Contributions to the Diasjazzpora art form.

The President of the Republic of Benin, Matthew Kerekou, issued an apology for the role of his ancestors in the Trans Atlantic slave trade. The Voyage of the “Clotilde” to Mobile, Alabama USA was the last known slave ship to sail from the continent of Africa to the United States.

Benin American Music Management (BAMM) proudly announces Diane Cameron and “The Reconciliation” CD has been nominated by the KORA Awards Organization 2005 in the category of Best Afro American Diaspora. The other nominees in this category are Will Smith, Mariah Carey, Akon and Oliver. The CD “The Reconciliation” and winning song entry “Come Back Home To Africa” is Ms. Cameron’s artistic recognition of Africa’s Reconciliation with its Diaspora and the use of the arts in human affairs merging this art form with a revered respect for the triumphs and sacrifices of Africa and her adopted homeland of Benin, (formerly Dahomey), the atrocities of slavery and her African ancestral heritage. The CD is themed on the reality of reconciling the African Diaspora and a tributary memoriam to places and events in the history of Africa and the Diaspora

Diane will begin her world as part of her promotion of Diasjazzpora arts and the “Reconciliation Renaissance” in 2006 and 2007.

Television Credits
Channel 44 – Nona Simmons – Cover Stories – Interview & Vocal Performance – Mobile, Alabama
Channel 3 – Pensacola Television to promote trip to Benin
Channel 12 – Good Morning Jacksonville – Clennon King – Interview & Vocal Performance – Jacksonville, FL.
ORTB – Republic of Benin, West Africa
LC2 – Republic of Benin, West Africa

Radio Credits
St. Augustine – Interview for compilation CD – Jacksonville, FL - 1997
Kennedy-King College Radio – Chicago, Illinois – This Woman’s Heart” 1998
WBEE – Peoria, Ill. – Listening Party for first CD 1999 – “This Woman’s Heart”
WDLT – Mobile, AL – Carmen Brown Host - 2001
WDLT – Mobile, AL – Carmen Brown Host - 2002
WDLT – Mobile, AL – Carmen Brown Host - 2003
WDLT – Mobile, AL – Carmen Brown Host - 2004
Oceane FM Radio – Republic of Benin, West Africa - 2005
Radio Star FM – Republic of Benin, West Africa - 2005
Golf Radio FM – Republic of Benin, West Africa – 2005
CAPP FM Radio – Republic of Benin, West Africa – 2005
Radio Ouidah – Republic of Benin, West Africa - 2005

Theatrical Credits
Fame – Hilton Head Island, SC 1991
Big River – Hilton Head Island, SC 1992
Prelude to a Kiss – Hilton Head Island, SC 1992
Midsummer’s Night Dream – Chicago, IL 1993
Merrily We Roll Along – Atlanta, GA 1995
Piano Lesson – Jacksonville, FL 1997
Rhythm of the World – (written & directed) – Daphne, AL 2000
Voices of Freedom – (written & directed) – Mobile, AL 2001
Cry of Freedom – (written & directed) – Mobile, AL 2004
Open Letter to the African American Daughter – (written & directed) Mobile, AL 2005
Open Letter to the African American Son – (written & directed) Mobile, AL 2005
The Children of Diaspora – Written and Directed, Republic of Benin, West Africa

Commercial Credits
Haverty’s Furniture – Holiday Scene – Televised
Aaron’s Furniture – Family Purchasing Scene – Print
Marriott Grand Hotel – Postcard Scene - Print
Newsprint Credits
Hilton Head Island Packet – Dec 1991
Florida Times-Union – March 1997
Folio Weekly (Jacksonville) – December 1997
Mobile Press Register – May 2002
The Islander – Gulf Shores, Alabama – October 2002
Mobile Press Register – February 2004
.
National Festivals2002, 2003, Alabama Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce Shrimp FestivalInternational ToursTokyo Dome Hotel – Artist Café – 3 Months with Phil Morrison Trio, Tokyo, Japan - 8/2000 – 11/2000 – Mitsuya Agency mitsuyaproject@nifty.ne.jp
*Republic of Benin/Africa Gospel & Roots Reconciliation Tour August 2nd – 8th 2004
*Republic of Benin/Africa Gospel & Roots Reconciliation Tour July 31st – August 7th 2005
Upcoming Calendar
World Tour promoting forgiveness and reconciliation, the beauty of Africa and ‘The Reconciliation” CD January 2006.
Nominations – KORA AWARD NOMINEE 2005 – The Reconciliation CD “Come Back Home to Africa” – to be held, Durban, South Africa 12-2005

Black History Celebration - Hots Spring, AK - Vocalist/Co Host - February 4, 2006

Performing at the Gullah Fest, Hilton Head Island, SC - February 10, 2006

News Conference March 2, 2006 - Selma, AL for CD Release Announcement

Guest Vocalist at the Jubilee Celebration Tribute to Andrew Young & Coretta Scott King, Selma, Alabama - March 4 & 5 2006

In the Studio Radio Interview on WHIL Radio with Theola Bright March 11th http://www.whil.org

In the Studio Radio Interview on WPFW 89.3 FM Africa to Africa with host Angelique Shofar
http://www.wpfw.org March 26th, Washington, DC

Congratulatory Resolution signed by Governor Bob Riley

By Bill Clark HJR700 ENROLLED, House Joint Resolution, CONGRATULATING DIANE CAMERON OF BALDWIN COUNTY FOR ACHIEVING USA ARTIST IN RESIDENCE FOR THE 2004 REPUBLIC OF BENIN GOSPEL AND ROOTS FESTIVAL. WHEREAS, it is with highest commendation that we recognize Diane Cameron, a resident of the City of Daphne in Baldwin County, Alabama, who has achieved the distinction of USA Artist in Residence for the 2004 Gospel and Roots Festival, which will be held in the Republic of Benin, West Africa; and WHEREAS, the USA Artist in Residence to the Benin Gospel and Roots Festival serves as a Goodwill Ambassador to promote reconciliation, cultural understanding, and friendships between the people of the United States and the people of the Republic of Benin through gospel songs, music of African Diaspora, theatrical performances, education, and cultural awareness; and WHEREAS, Ms. Cameron has made outstanding contributions to the arts in the State of Alabama through her unique multi-ethnic art form and method, which combines historical themes and current event interests as both serious messages and entertainment values, community involvement, and development of youth; and WHEREAS, as the Chief Artistic Officer of Its All An Act 2, Ms. Cameron provides artists and youth in the State of Alabama with the opportunity to perform, to be of public service, and to advance the cultural heritage of the state; and WHEREAS, indeed, Ms. Cameron's performances through Theatre 98 of Fairhope, and as USA Artist in Residence to the Benin Gospel and Roots Festival, have been of inestimable value to, and revered by, her admiring fans throughout the State of Alabama and the Republic of Benin; now therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That Diane Cameron of Daphne, Alabama, is applauded on the success she has deservedly achieved throughout her theatrical career and, by copy of this resolution, she is extended heartiest congratulations for achieving USA Artist in Residence for the 2004 Republic of Benin Gospel and Roots Festival.

Diane Cameron


…Finally an artist totally devoted to the culture of the Diaspora set to addictive music, unforgettable lyrics and passionate vocals….
CD released 8-1-2005“The Reconciliation” A Tribute to AFRICA & the Diaspora was recognized by All Africa Kora Awards
with these Irresistible Tracks…
Come Back Home to Africa…
La Femme du Marche…
Blessed Ganvie…
South Africa…
Dance of the Diaspora
I Am AAAfrica
Tree of No Return
Merci Monsieur Le President Kerekou
Nuits dans Benin…and more…..
Benin American Music Management
BAMM
http://dianecameron.homestead.com

Rose DesRocher's interview with Diane Cameron Elam