Episode 11 Matt Balitsaris, Musician, Record Producer, Philanthropist
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
English - March 05, 2018 06:00 - 1 hour - 76.1 MB - ★★★★★ - 45 ratingsPersonal Journals Society & Culture Religion & Spirituality Spirituality conversations deborahadamy enlighten extraordinary inspiration inspire uplift Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Matt Balitsaris is a musician, record producer, humanitarian and philanthropist. Matt was the band leader and composer of 2 bands my husband played bass for in the 80s and 90s: C’est What?! and Loose Shoes. Matt’s beautiful solo guitar playing can be found on the albums "Evening Fires" & "An Echoed Smile". Matt converted the barn on his Buck’s County, PA property into a magnificent recording studio and founded the successful jazz label, Palmetto Records.
In addition to his music career, Matt shares his insights from his first trip to Haiti in 1989, the changes, set backs (including hurricanes, earthquakes and governmental corruption) and palpable progress he has witnessed in Haiti, a country very close to his heart. Over the past 20 years, Matt has dedicated time, energy, resources and certainly his heart and soul to the grass-roots, micro-financing organization FONKOZE, who reaches out to the poorest of poor in Haiti. I had the privilege of watching Matt in action when I joined him and a delegation he led in Haiti the year after the earthquake.
You may have previously heard my conversation with Matt’s wife, Margaret Dulaney, a playwright, spiritual writer and long time inspiration to me. If you haven't already, I encourage you to listen to episode #5 for Margaret's inspiring conversation with me.
Music brought my husband and I together with Matt and Margaret 33 years ago, our friendship has been enriched by spiritual exploration, and our connection has been deepened through our shared quest for social justice.
Links:
C’est What?!
Loose Shoes
Jeff Berman
Palmetto Records
The Inquirer Featured Article (Philly.com)