Pioneers for a Cure


Pioneers For A Cure - Songs To Fight Cancer was started in 2008 to raise funds in support of organizations pioneering new methods of cancer treatment and research. Pioneers For A Cure is the largest showcase of cancer charities on the web. Called ' stellar model of artist-driven grassroots philanthropy' by National Geographic, the non-profit project records public domain songs, reinterpreted by contemporary artists and made available on the organization's website. for downloading for a modest donation. Over 100 songs have been recorded by dozens of artists from around the world including Suzanne Vega, Ben E. King, Tom Chapin, Tom Verlaine, Matt White and David Broza. Proceeds from song downloads are donated to artist-selected cancer charities such as the American Cancer Society, St. Jude Children's Hospital, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Pioneers For A Cure is sponsored by Joodayoh, Inc., a 5013 organization

History

The organization began with ‘The Postcard Project,’ gathering many Jewish musical artists to record the music of the pioneers of Israel. The songs were then posted on the Pioneers For A Cure website, where users make micro-donations to artist-selected cancer charities and receive song downloads in return.
‘The Postcard Project’ was inspired by the postcards used to disseminate the music of the Chalutzim in the years preceding the creation of the modern state of Israel. In an attempt to create a cultural base, composers were commissioned by the Keren Kayemet to write new folk music, a soundtrack to the formation of the nation. The words and melodies were printed on postcards, which were mailed across Palestine, Europe, and Asia Minor.
‘The Israel Sessions’ is a more recent project of PFAC, featuring 16 songs recorded in Israel by producer Greg Wall and engineer Dave Richards in August, 2009. In addition, several songs have been recorded for the forthcoming ‘American Sessions,’ featuring classic American songs by popular artists.
In 2009, Pioneers released the single “Am Yisrael Chai,” featuring over 40 performers, edited by Keith Olsen and mixed by Bob Clearmountain.
The Pioneers For A Cure organization includes Music Producer Greg Wall, Executive Producer Beth Ravin, Chief Recording Engineer Dave Richards, artist Mira Sasson and Joodayoh, Inc. Executive Director Ricky Orbach.
In January 2011 Pioneers For A cure launched its new website, enabling donations to cancer charities. Website design and development by WhiteLabel.
On October 17, 2011, The Huffington Post featured an interview with Suzanne Vega in which the singer discusses her work with Pioneers For A Cure.

The Pioneer Portraits

Israeli artist Mira Sasson has painted portraits of dozens of the Pioneers For A Cure artists, including Ben E. King, Lorin Sklamberg, David Broza, Basya Schechter, Neshama Carlebach, Noah Solomon, Tovah Feldshuh, and Dudu Fisher.
Sasson was born in 1965 in Bnei-Brak, Israel, and began drawing and painting as a child. In addition to other work, Sasson has illustrated and authored several children’s books published in Israel. The books are currently being translated for publishing in the United States.

Pioneers For A Cure Award Gala

On November 22, 2009, Pioneers For A Cure celebrated its first "Pioneer Of The Year Award" with a gala event at the Salmagundi Club in New York City with more than 250 friends and supporters. Attendees were welcomed by Harold Blond, President of the Israel Children's Cancer Foundation as well as Dana Ehrlich of the Israeli Consulate.
The "Pioneer Of The Year Award" was presented to Mira Sasson, whose artwork and portraits were on display at the gallery. Musical performers included Neshama Carlebach, Pharaoh's Daughter, Adrienne Cooper and Art Bailey, Greg Wall, Jeremiah Lockwood, Rashanim, Dov Rosenblatt and many more.

Releases

iTunes Singles

  1. Bill Evans, "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"
  2. Tom Chapin, "Left My Gal in the Mountains"
  3. Randy Brecker, "The Ballad of John Henry"

    Israeli Songs To Fight Cancer (2011)

Volume 1:
  1. Dov Rosenblatt, Diwon, Greg Wall & The Pioneer Ensemble, "Hatikvah "
  2. Stereo Sinai, "Purim Hayom"
  3. Dudu Fisher, "Saleinu"
  4. Y-Love with Diwon, "El Hama'ayan"
  5. Sway Machinery, "Sov'vuni"
  6. Hasidic New Wave, "Holem Tza’adi"
  7. Pharaoh's Daughter, "Hinei Achal'la Bachalili"
  8. Kohane Of Newark, "Yad Anugah"
  9. Josh Nelson, "Chanita"
  10. Smadar Levi, "Alei Giva"
  11. Rashanim, "Seh Ug'di"
Volume 2:
  1. Pioneers For A Cure Artists, "Am Yisrael Chai "
  2. Ayelet Argaman & Asher Halpern, "Yerushalayim"
  3. David Broza, "Ve'ulai"
  4. Art Bailey's Orkestra Popilar Featuring Adrienne Cooper, "Shne Shoshanim"
  5. Klezmerfest, "Chalutz, Chalutz Hineni"
  6. Dudi Bar-David, "Bein Holot Midbar"
  7. Peri Smilow, "Ani Maylelet"
  8. Avi Piamenta, "Alei Giva"
  9. Alessandra Hirsch, "Yesh Li Gan"
  10. Alicia Svigals, "Kuma Echa"
  11. Orcha Bamidbar 2:08 Zamir Choral

    The American Collection (2011)

  12. Randy Brecker, "Ballad of John Henry"
  13. Tom Chapin, "Left My Gal in the Mountains"
  14. Bill Evans, "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"
  15. Ben E. King, “Now Let Me Fly”
  16. Gary Lucas, "Go Down Moses"
  17. G. E. Smith and Taylor Barton, “Shenandoah”
  18. Suzanne Vega, “The Streets of Laredo”
  19. Matt White, “Tennessee Stud”

    The Israel Sessions (2010)

  20. Michal Cohen, “Sachkey”
  21. Natan Cohen, “Lo B'yom v'lo B'laila”
  22. David D'or, “Hava Nagila”
  23. Shai Gabso, “El Hatzipor”
  24. Nurit Galron, “Im Eshkachech”
  25. Yehoram Gaon, “Shir Ha'avoda Vehamlacha”
  26. The Genders, “Mah Yafim HaLeylot”
  27. Tzachi Halevy‘‘, “Al Neharot Bavel”
  28. Amos Hoffman and Shai Bachar, “Bein Nahar Prat”
  29. Ilanit, “Numi, Numi”
  30. Inbal, “Hachnisini Tachat Knafech”
  31. Uri Miles, “Hitragut”
  32. Noam Rotem, “Sham Shualim Yesh”
  33. Avi Toledano, “Hachnisini Tachat Knafech” and “Levad”
  34. Dudu Zakai, “Im Eshkachech”

    The Postcard Project (2009)

  35. Ayelet Argaman and Alexander Halpern, “Yerushalayim”
  36. The Pioneer Artists, “Am Yisrael Chai,” Mixed by Bob Clearmountain
  37. Emily Bindiger, “Tumba”
  38. David Broza, “V'ulai”
  39. Neshama Carlebach, “Tapuach Zahav”
  40. Adrienne Cooper and Art Bailey's Orkestra Popilar, “Shnei Shoshanim”
  41. Tovah Feldshuh, “Bein Nahar Prat”
  42. Dudu Fisher, “Saleinu”
  43. Seth Glass, “Omrim Yeshne Eretz”
  44. Sam Halpern, “Meyn Shtetle Belz”
  45. Hasidic New Wave, “Holem Tza'adi”
  46. Klezmerfest, “Chalutz, Chalutz, Hineini”
  47. Kohane of Newark, “Yad Anugah”
  48. Later Prophets, “Sobu Tzion”
  49. Smadar Levi, “Alei Giva”
  50. Frank London, Rob Schwimmer and Joshua Nelson, “Gam Hayom”
  51. New York Voices, “S'Vivon”
  52. Pharaoh's Daughter, “Hinei Achal'la Bachalili,” Mixed by Bob Clearmountain
  53. Avi Piamenta, “Alei Giva”
  54. Yosi Piamenta, “Shedemati”
  55. Rashanim, “Seh Ug'di”
  56. RebbeSoul, “Shir Shomer”
  57. Abbi Rose, “Hazorim B'dimah”
  58. Karen Rosen, “Yeled Kat”
  59. Dov Rosenblatt, “Hallelujah”
  60. Lorin Sklamberg, “Lu Hayiti Tsipor Kanaf/Sh'Chav Beni”,
  61. Noah Solomon, “El Yivne HaGalil”
  62. Stereo Sinai, “Purim Hayom”
  63. Alicia Svigals, “Kuma, Echa”
  64. The Sway Machinery, “Sov'vuni”
  65. Y-Love & Diwon, “El Hamayan”
  66. The Zamir Chorale, “Orcha Bamidbar”

    Charities

  67. A Step Ahead / Cancer Research UK
  68. American Lung Association
  69. Amutat Chaim
  70. Amutat Yahad Nit'atzem
  71. Breast Cancer Research Foundation
  72. Cancer patients of the Phyllis Newman Health Initiative
  73. Chai Lifeline
  74. Chai Lifeline Children's Cancer Camp Simcha
  75. Children's Department of Rambam Hospital
  76. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
  77. Dr. Allyson J. Ocean Research Fund - Weill Cornell Medical College
  78. Ellen's Run
  79. Ezer Mizion
  80. Gabrielle's Angel Foundation
  81. Israel Cancer Association
  82. Israel Cancer Research Fund
  83. Israel Children's Cancer Foundation
  84. Kaplan Medical Center Throat Cancer Fund
  85. Kav L'Chaim
  86. Larger Than Life
  87. Lymphoma Research Foundation
  88. Melanoma Research Foundation
  89. Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center
  90. Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
  91. National Breast Cancer Coalition
  92. EIF’s National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance
  93. New York CancerCare
  94. One In Nine
  95. Rofeh Cholim Cancer Society
  96. Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel
  97. Soroka Medical Center Cancer Departments
  98. St. Barnabas Cancer Centers
  99. Susan G. Komen for the Cure