Music Commission News

Ngala Mfalme Memorial Fund for uninsured New Mexico Musicians

posted Mar 16, 2012

ALBUQUERQUE, NM (March 8, 2012) – Joe and Jean Harris, parents of the late professional drummer and studio session recording artist Ngala Mfalme have created a memorial fund through the Albuquerque Community Foundation to honor his memory and to provide much needed funds for New Mexico musicians who are chronically uninsured. On Saturday, March 31, 2012 from 10am – 4pm, Mfalme’s estate consisting of state- of-the art drumming and recording equipment will be sold at the offices of the Albuquerque Community Foundation, 3301 Menaul Blvd, NE #2 (west of the intersection of Carlisle/Menaul near the World Market). All proceeds from the sale will benefit uninsured musicians in the State of New Mexico.

In March of 2010, the Future of Music Coalition conducted a national survey regarding health insurance coverage for musicians. 33% of survey respondents reported being uninsured—a rate that is almost twice the national average for U.S. citizens. (http://futureofmusic.org/sites/default/files/FMChealthinsurancereport0510.pdf). Ngala Mfalme possessed unwavering support for social justice and those less fortunate. Though he lost his battle to pancreatic cancer on Thanksgiving Day in November 2010, his legacy of kindness will continue through the Ngala Mfalme Memorial Fund.

The general public is invited. For more information about the equipment, please contact Kayla at the Albuquerque Community Foundation at Kayla@albuquerquefoundation.org.

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The Albuquerque Community Foundation is a tax-exempt 501 (c)(3) public charity with a mission to serve people in the greater Albuquerque area. The Foundation administers a permanent community endowment comprised of many gifts, large and small, and uses the earnings from that endowment to make grants to other nonprofit organizations and educational institutions.

Contact: Jean Harris
(505)792-3934
jrh714@comcast.net