» Three Cups of Tea

Editorial Review for Three Cups of Tea:

Three Cups of Tea was composed by Jake Fleming at the request of Greg Mortenson, father of Amira and author of the book Three Cups of Tea. The song and book advocate education in the Islamic countries of central and southwest Asia specifically, the education of girls. The heros in the song are the children who, in the face of adversity, oppression and poverty, relentlessly pursue their dream of an education. For lack of adequate facilities, children often write their lessons in the sand with sticks. In reality, one penny buys a pencil and one dollar will fund a child s education for an entire month. To date, Greg has helped build 55 schools in remote villages of Pakistan and Afghanistan with the help of his non-profit, Central Asia Institute. Three Cups of Tea is an extraordinary story of one man s efforts to make a change (Viking 2006). Proceeds from this CD will help support CAI and Greg s efforts. Proceeds from this CD will also help support Hand Me Down Some Silver, Inc., a 501(c)3 corporation founded by Jake and Jeni Fleming. This scholarship foundation aims to fund private music lessons, purchase instruments, help students realize their own recording projects, and provides students with long-lasting, inspirational musical experiences similar to this project. Jeni Fleming of the Jazz influenced folk/pop group, the Jeni Fleming Trio is fast becoming one of the Northwests most sought after vocalists. Recording artists and tour musicians, she and husband Jake (lyricist, songwriter and producer) also teach 60 private music students in their Montana home. Amira Mortenson is a 4th grader who loves music and aspires to sing on Broadway. A Pennies for Peace activist, she inspires American students to buy pencils for their peers in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Amira travels to the Islamic third world to personally deliver school supplies and greets children with Asalaam Alaikum (peace be with you). Words and Music: Jake Fleming, Bozeman, MT, © 2006 Flick The Fly Publishing Sung by: Jeni Fleming and Amira Mortenson Recorded / Mixed: Hilltop Recording Studio, Nashville, TN Design and layout: Nathan Fleming Photographs of Jeni and Amira © 2006 Audrey Hall Clothing provided by: Twig Design, Bozeman, MT CD Production: Copycatsmedia.com, Minneapolis, MN Piano and Keyboards: Gary Prim Bass Guitar: Jimmy Carter Acoustic and electric guitar: Kelly Black Electric Guitar: Jeff King Drums and percussion: Brian Fullen Background vocals: Margie Cates, Chip Davis Children s Choir: Tyler Eide, Amira Mortenson, Addison White, Samantha White, Tanner Wiegand, Courtney Yovich Recording Engineer: John Nicholson