Sharing Latin music with China
- By Li Shen
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E-mail China.org.cn, June 6, 2014
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[Photo by courtesy of Tamela Hedström] |
Hedström was inspired by the power of Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder and Lauren Hill's singing. There are no musicians in her family but she taught herself singing and used to write songs to memorize information for a test. When she turned sixteen, Hedström went to study dance in Cuba and later became a dance teacher. But soon she realized that it was music that made her truly happy.
Her passion for music not only gives her happiness but has also taught her to be strong. In 2004, Hedström was involved in a bus accident and broke her back, hips and legs. The doctor suggested an amputation at the beginning, but she refused the idea. After 25 operations in seven years, she can walk again and reclaimed her career.
"If you want something, you have to work at it," she said. "My experience has taught me to be strong, stubborn and patient. It has made me value things and not be worried about what people think about your physical condition. In music, your voice and your songs matter the most."
Hedström's first China trip lasted only five days. But she has got a lot from it. "The warmth of the Chinese audience was amazing. They reacted positively and even sang the song with me," she said.
To her and Latin Americans, China is completely different, almost like a myth. "It's a very different new market for us. But it's really interesting. Once I got here, I really didn't want to leave. I respect the culture so much," she told this reporter. "This trip to China has inspired me and I want to write songs about the country and people."
Hedström can speak simple Chinese words like "Ni Hao" (Hello) and "Xiexie" (Thank you.) She wishes she could sing a Chinese song during her next performance in China. She also hopes to meet some Chinese musicians and to play in a music camp during her next trip to China. "I know China has many great pop singers, but not many soul singers. Maybe the flavor of Latin soul music could enchant Chinese audiences."
During her stay in Beijing, Hedström bought some traditional Chinese musical instruments. "The sound of the "Xun" (an egg-shaped wind instrument with a history of more than 6000 years) is beautiful and I really want to use one in my new songs. That's my next project," She said.
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