A musical genius with a positive vibe and a passionate supporter for world peace, “Swiss Chris” is the music man with a mission. Activist, artist, entertainer “Swiss Chris”, a Grammy Award Winning Music Director and Drummer formerly with John Legend and who is currently working side by side with legendary artist Gloria Gaynor, is also the founder of S.W.I.S.S (Saving With Instruments, Samples & Soundz), “Resolving Conflict Through Music and Sound.” (Saving With Instruments, Samples & Soundz is pending 501C3 approval)

I met “Swiss Chris” through Lou Ricca founder of EuroRock/Peace Full Sail and program director for S.W.I.S.S. Celebrated for his genius on the drums and for his work as a music director, this very talented musical mastermind takes his success to the next level; he is a very busy, very passionate and very active human rights activist, lobbying the rights for people whose voices have been ignored.

As a young curious boy, growing up in Switzerland, Chris was attuned to the world and the people of the world. When attending a geography class in school, he asked himself an important question and one that would create the man he is today, “If Africa is the richest in natural resources, why is it the poorest continent in the world?” Although he was only ten years old, he was wise beyond his years. As a young aspiring drummer and a young boy hungry for knowledge and a deeper understanding of the imbalances in the world, he began to research and follow the path of the drum. In all forms of life, from centuries past to present day, the power of the drum with its rhythm has been and is a very important part of life and can be a very powerful tool to raise or uplift consciousness, lead us on the pathway of truth and understanding and restore the spirit of humanity. He realized that playing the drums was his way to inspire, enlighten and heal people.

“Music has a positive impact that can be effective in healthful changes. More and more doctors are using music as part of their treatments to help patients stay healthy and recover more quickly from illness.”

With his success in the entertainment industry, Chris utilizes his reputation to help those around the world who are in need and have had their rights violated. As a dedicated human rights activist, Chris knowing in his heart that he wanted to play a bigger part in raising awareness and activating change to help aid humanity and restore human rights, S.W.IS.S. was born. S.W.I.S.S. the organization, is Chris’s way to express and elevate his dedication and to develop his ideas, collaborate with fellow musicians, entertainment professionals, politicians and to execute events that will aid in reform. Chris works closely with his wife, Lakecia Davis-Flueck and Lou Ricca of EuroRock/Peace Full Sail.

Recently Chris became a member of Soka Gakkai International (SGI). SGI is a Buddhist organization whose practices lead to empowerment and inner transformation or “human revolution” which enables individuals to take responsibility for their lives and contribute to building a world where people of diverse cultures and faiths can live in peace. The teachings are based on Lotus Sutra; dignity for all life.

“I am a human rights activist who happens to play the drums.”

I understand that you received a letter from former President Bill Clinton, can you please explain?

I took part in the first New York Clinton Foundation Millennium Network. I performed that night with John Legend and at the end of night gave Bill Clinton my drumsticks. The foundation focuses on worldwide issues that demand urgent action, solutions, and measurable results — global climate change, HIV/AIDS in the developing world, childhood obesity and economic opportunity in the United States, and economic development in Africa and Latin America.

How do you plan to educate humanity, raise awareness and get people involved in world peace, through music?

S.W.I.S.S. plans to teach, through conscious music and music lessons, a different approach to well-being that will translate into tools that can promote universal healing.

What other plans do you have to help promote peace and healing?

S.W.I.S.S. will promote a legacy of peaceful conflict resolutions by supporting strategic grant making, global peace initiative and educational awareness.

Who benefits from SWISS?

Saving With Instruments, Samples & Soundz (S.W.I.S.S.) is not for profit charitable organization founded in 2007 to assist the people throughout the world in several different areas: Hunger, Education, Music, Healing, Environment, and World Peace.

Have you partnered with any other not for profit organizations?

S.W.I.S.S. is also involved in spreading peace in the world. One of our ongoing programs, developed by our board member Lou Ricca, is the EuroRock/Peace Full Sail program. EuroRock’s/Peace Full Sail’s mission is to show the world that we can all peacefully coexist despite our differences in color, nationality, musical tastes, religious beliefs or our political backgrounds.

EuroRock/Peace Full Sail was conceived in 2005 to show the world that we can get along no matter what genre of music, religion, county of origin, race or political slant EuroRock/Peace Full sail recruits artist and musicians to go on the road and tour, play their different genres of music and show people that indeed we can all get along. Eurorock/Peace Full Sail has toured three separate tours (2006, 2007 and 2008) for different lengths of time in different areas of the USA with a European Tour to come. EauroRock/Peace Full Sail has also made three very important missions sailing the Atlantic, bringing much needed supplies to areas and people stricken by poverty. One of the tours, for late summer 2009, is in progress and has just weathered a hurricane, successfully managing to proceed with horrific conditions of 95 foot waves to bring aid to much needed areas, thanks to Captain Detle Kowalski.

Currently, we are also working with the Freedom Campaign which is focused on drawing worldwide attention to Aung San Suu Kyi, the world’s only imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize recipient, and the struggles of the people living in Burma. Through the campaign’s music, film, and art projects Aung San Suu Kyi’s messages of courage and human rights are given a voice.

We have already successfully completed a fund-raising activity for the Freedom Campaign. This benefit was to bring awareness to the plight of Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace Prize winner from Burma jailed for speaking about democracy and freedom.

What events do you have planned for SWISS or are involved with in the coming year?

EuroRock/Peace Full Sail Peace Sail

Peace Full Sail was conceived Right now the boat EuroRock/Peace Full Sail Peace Sail is out on the Atlantic Ocean sailing the world for peace. On board is a mix of different musicians from different countries composing music and sharing with different countries their peaceful and non-violent ideas.

Backstage Pass Productions (Lou Ricca) conceived EuroRock/Peace Full Sail when the owner of a 60-foot yacht asked EuroRock if it was possible to include a boat on the tour. After brainstorming with Detlef Koweleski, the owner and Skipper, we came to the conclusion to take EuroRock/Peace Full sail to the Oceans worldwide and call it the Peace Full Sail. Peace Full Sail embraces the same qualifications and mission as the EuroRock mission and has so far been out on the Atlantic two times, with one sail in progress. Peace Full Sail should arrive, from Spain to the USA by January 29th, 2009 with its ten passengers. Our first time out, we included a film crew that was able to film many events along the way as well as documenting the crew and trip. Additionally, Peace Full Sail is included in music videos of the sail itself and has been entered into the Recording academy’s Grammy’s for consideration in 2009. Peace Full Sail and Eurorock have joined in concert at several venues.

John Lennon Memorial Festival

This yearly event will be a birthday celebration for John Lennon, which commemorates his goal of peaceful endeavors thorough music. We will assemble artist of different genres to give an interpretational tribute to the music of John Lennon and its effect of global peace. We intend to celebrate one of the greatest influences in world peace music as well as raise awareness about how music can be used as healing instrument.

Drumming and Music Therapy

Music Therapy is an established therapy that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals of all ages. Music therapy improves the quality of life for persons who are well and meets the needs of children and adults with disabilities or illnesses. Our music therapy interventions will be designed to:

*Promote wellness
*Manage stress
*Alleviate pain
*Express feelings
*Enhance memory
*Improve communication
*Promote physical rehabilitation.

Swiss Chris Teaching Program DRUM MEDITATION
“INSPIRE TO ASPIRE – ASPIRE TO INSPIRE”

This program is designed to teach early elementary, elementary students and high school students, how to express and channel rhythms. It is an ambidextrous approach to Drumming, teaching basic Mathematics through rudiments and stickings, as well as mental and physical independence.

Using the Swiss Chris Stickings Chart, the students will be able understand rhythm and basic rhythmic notation. In accordance with the proven power of the repetitive exposure, students will develop their subconscious thinking abilities. The students will also study and explore the history of the drum.

Is SWISS a charitable organization that the general public can get involved with and if so, are there any requirements to fit your needs?

This organization is just starting so any donations and grants to help us move forward with our intended goals would be greatly appreciated. We will also entertain possible collaborations for a common cause. All income derived from S.W.I.S.S. is reinvested back into our programs minus our exact overhead. We have a vested interest in helping the world, which is our ultimate mission.

Lou Ricca, the founder of EuroRock/Peace Full Sail, is the program director for SWISS, how did this partnership form?

I was on tour with John Legend and took a few days off, to attend a United Nations meeting in Geneva Switzerland for peace. At that meeting I met Lou and we connected in a very profound way. Lou is very passionate about world peace, ending conflict and restoring human rights.

That same night, Lou’s wife had an allergy attack and ended up in the hospital. Lou lived in Zurich, which is where I was headed, so I drove him back to the hospital to see his wife. During that time, Lou and I had time to talk and get to know each other. The funny part is, I am a Swiss guy in America and he is an American guy in Switzerland. We started talking about life and world peace and while talking, we found a respect for each others ideas and beliefs and realized that we had very common positive goals. Although I had experience in humanitarian issues since, working with Jack Healy, the former Director of Amnesty International, the man who helped Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. organize the March on Washington in 1963 and the founder of Human Rights Action Center, I realized that Lou’s years of experience could only add value to S.W.I.S.S. Since then we have worked and collaborated together and we have found tremendous success, which we intend to continue.

Please tell us about the book you are writing and about sticking?

At the moment I am writing a book, a beginner’s book with Cherry Lane Music Publishing, “Sticking With Swiss.” Although this book is a beginner’s book, advanced drummers would appreciate this book.
“Sticking With Swiss”, will also help people heal through sticking. This book will help people and teach people the importance of rhythm by utilizing sticking. Using your entire body for movement, similar to swimming, can have a profound effect on your body and psyche. In fact, there’s a growing field of health care known as Music Therapy, which uses music to heal.

Research shows that music, or rhythm can help cancer patients, children with ADD, pain management, to help ward off depression, to promote movement, to reduce stress, to rehabilitate, increase healing time and for many other benefits. Music affects the body and mind in many powerful ways.

What is your personal mission?

Helping others helps me understand why I am alive. It reconfirms why I am here. A Swiss guy, who has made a name for himself and found respect and success for his talent in the music community, is a big accomplishment. I want to show others that if they believe they can also make their dreams come true. That no matter who tries to keep you down and so many did try to keep me down, that with desire, drive, determination and passion, everything is possible.

My mission is that we can peacefully coexist no matter our differences. Music transcends religion, politics and any and all differences. We can live peacefully together!

Who are you interested in teaming up with, for future events, for S.W.I.S.S. or other non profits that you are associated with?

I am interested in working with Whoopi Goldberg. I respect Whoopi on the numerous ways she has used her star power to champion for important issues bringing attention to countless causes.

Sting is another activist and performer who I respect. I respect his personal music as well as his music with the Police. What I most respect about him is the countless times and hours that he has given of himself to fight for the rights of men, women and children as well as bring awareness to climate change and shedding light on the rainforest and its importance to our survival.

There are many talented artist and politicians I would like to collaborate with in the name of peace. I am open to working with people who have the similar intentions…changing the world one beat at a time!

SWISS Chris is sponsored by:  Yamaha, Sabian, Aquarian and Vic Firth

For more information on Swiss Chris, his performing and S.W.I.S.S.:

www.swissorg.org

www.myspace.com/swisschris777

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=56288226

http://www.moderndrummer.com/modern-drummer-blogs/Gloria%20Gaynor

For more information on organizations and not- for- profits SWISS is associated with:

www.earthdriver.org

www.sgi-usa.org

” Rock Peace SWISS Style!”