"We Are the World" -- LIVE at NAMM

Fundraiser to Replace Instruments Lost in LA Fires

In the aftermath of traumatic events, music is a significant way for people, especially children, to process and heal. David Z Foundation has partnered with Guitar Center Music Foundation to raise money to replace instruments that children 18 and under lost in the recent LA fires. Your support will help us give back and rebuild and fortify a supportive community surrounding young musicians in the LA area.

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On the 40th anniversary of the original recording, as wildfires burned in nearby Los Angeles, we performed a live remake of the iconic song, “We are the World.” The timing and location of this concert was meaningful for all of us. The natural disaster emphasized this song’s message of our deep interconnectedness and how much we need each other.

The performance took place on January 24, 2025 at NAMM’s Ultimate Jam Night. Over 60 rock musicians came together for the concert. It featured an orchestra and a choir of 85 people, including the West Los Angeles Children’s Choir directed by Barbara Silberg, Cantara Street Elementary Choir directed by Rogelio Resendiz, and members of the Angeles Chorale. Feedback from audience members kept using the same two words: “seamless” (a big win for a such complicated concert) and “epic.” The presenting sponsor, RCF, amplified this incredible performance with their new front of house system with crystal clear clarity.

The “We are the World” remake . The first video below is the live performance. The second video is a shot-for-shot remake of the original song.

Embed video of Shot-for-shot featuring the West LA Children's Choir:

Help us raise $50,000 to replace instruments that children 18 and under have lost in the recent LA fires.

In Spokane, WA, where David Z Foundation hosts a bi-weekly open mic night for families and youth, one local artist named Kim West felt the connection to the people in the Los Angeles area affected by the devastating fires. She dedicated a performance of a song written by Mandy Giantoro from Germany to all of the people affected by the fires, including the young people who have lost instrunents in the tragedy. Mandy's voice played on a speaker while Kim played the handpan:

Mandy Giantoro, Singer/Songwriter

Kim West plays handpan with singer/songwriter Mandy Giantoro's recorded voice during the Open Mic event in Spokane, WA, a bi-weekly collaboration between DZF with the Spokane Public Library

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We are the world, we are the children.

We are the ones who make a brighter day-

So let's start giving.