MISSION AND
VISION
The mission of The Elders Project program is to ensure that senior musicians and songwriters have the opportunity to record, release, and monetize their first professional studio album. It is our vision to have a world where age becomes obsolete to consumers of music.
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Blakwater Production House is proud to announce that The Elders Project has received a $7,000 award from New Music USA’s Organization Fund for the Creation of New Work.
This support allows us to continue the mission of The Elders Project: preserving the stories, music, and cultural contributions of elder artists while giving them access to the professional resources needed to create and release new work.
Meet Baba Judah
Our featured elder artist is Baba Judah, a Baltimore-based songwriter, vocalist, musician, mentor, and cultural figure whose influence in the city's music community spans more than four decades.
Born in Lake Charles, Louisiana in 1955 and shaped by experiences across the American South, Baltimore, and Berlin, Juddah's musical identity draws from reggae, Rastafari, funk, soul, rock, and generations of Black musical tradition.
Despite his decades of music-making, mentorship, performance, and cultural influence, Juddah has never had the opportunity to professionally produce and release a complete body of his original music. The Elders Project is about to change that.
Blakwater Production House will bring together generations of Baltimore musicians and creatives to professionally produce and record three new original works by Baba Judah.
The project will document Judah’s story and creative process while providing professional recording, live musicians, mentorship, and a platform to preserve and celebrate his musical legacy. The music will be digitally released, pressed on limited-edition vinyl, and premiered publicly in Spring 2027.
At its heart, The Elders Project is about honoring our cultural elders while they are here to tell their own stories and create new work.
Learn more about Baba Juddah:
https://programmanagecfh.my.canva.site/baba-juddah
Learn more about the New Music USA award:
https://newmusicusa.org/newsroom/2026-of-awardees/
Blakwater Production House
501c3 Fiscal Sponsor
COMBATTING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
A study conducted by MusicWatch reveals that 90% of social media users engage in some form of music- or artist-related activity on social platforms. Understanding the forever-changing music industry is a must. We are in a digital age that demands direct public communication from artists to consumers. By partnering with local organizations and marketing agencies, we have a gamut of support and education. The entire creative process will be visually documented. This will allow constant opportunity for the The Elders Project recipient to have platforms to tell their story. Once the album is complete, there are a plethora of areas to focus on for the year. Merchandise, Local Performances, Radio/Podcast/TV Interviews, and Press Releases, to name a few.
The digital content divide of today has caused a gap in
the learning curve. Every elder who participates in this program will be constantly engaged with the younger generations. This intergenerational approach to programming will give participants an edge when it
comes to learning the digital landscape.
PROPOSED TIMELINE
PHASE 1 | PRE-PRODUCTION
Pre-production is the process of forming and refining
your musical ideas. Artists will spend time working out the songs' arrangements by making rough demo recordings to figure out what's going on, the instrumentation and the creative design.
PHASE 2 | RECORDING THE ALBUM
Recordings are sent to the head engineer at Blakwater
House to prepare for the album tracking process. Studio
sessions will include collaborations with other musicians
and vocalists, mixing & mastering
PHASE 3 | PROMOTIONS
Merchandise that reflects the artist's brand will be
designed. The Podcast will be anchored as a promotional tool via RSS feed. Photography and a Mini Documentary will be produced with the intention of using the content on social media.
PHASE 4 | ADMINISTRATION
Finalize all agreements. Website with an artist booking
portal and e-commerce. Performing Arts Organization
registration (BMI/ASCAP). Launch a digital marketing campaign.
PHASE 5 | DISTRIBUTION
The process by which music (mixed and ready to go)
is sent to music providers (major streaming services,
radio channels, advertising agencies, etc). Release
party and documentary viewing.
CONTINUED
SUPPORT
The Continued Support component ensures that each Elder Artist receives personalized guidance after the album release to help sustain momentum, visibility, and income opportunities.
Each participant is paired with a Digital Engagement Agent, a trained creative support specialist who assists them in navigating the online ecosystem of today’s music industry. Each artist will have direct access to their Digital Engagement Agent for 12 months following the completion of their album release.
PROGRAM
STRUCTURE
ANNUAL COHORT MODEL
The Elders Project operates on an annual cohort model, selecting one elder artist per year to receive full creative, administrative, and digital support through the completion of their first professional studio album.
This intentional pacing allows for depth of impact over volume, ensuring each artist’s story, sound, and legacy are developed with care and authenticity.
Each annual cycle includes:
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Pre-Production & Orientation (Months 1–2): Song selection, rehearsal, and goal-setting with the production team.
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Recording & Development (Months 3–6): Studio sessions, collaborations, and documentation of the creative process.
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Marketing & Distribution (Months 7–9): Album rollout, digital setup, and community storytelling through podcast and video.
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Continued Support (Months 10–12): One-on-one digital mentorship and audience-building through the assigned Digital Engagement Agent.
HOW TO SUPPORT
The Elders Project is proudly supported through our fiscal sponsorship with Maryland Art Place (MAP) — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to sustaining Maryland’s creative community. All charitable contributions to The Elders Project are processed through Maryland Art Place, ensuring your donation is tax-deductible and directly supports our mission to preserve the musical legacies of Baltimore’s elder artists.
WAYS TO GIVE
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Donate Online:
Contact Program Director Kariz Marcel kariz@blakwatermusic.com for direct donor invitation. -
Sponsor a Project Recipient:
It costs approximately $50,000 to fully sponsor one Elder Artist, covering studio production, marketing, documentation, and digital engagement for an entire year. -
In-Kind Support:
Contributions of equipment, studio gear, marketing services, or artist stipends are also welcome. -
Corporate & Foundation Partnerships:
Organizations interested in supporting creative aging, intergenerational learning, or cultural preservation are invited to collaborate on program expansion and evaluation efforts.
STAY CONNECTED
We are currently preparing to announce our first Elder Artist recipient in the first quarter of 2026. Details will be shared through our website and community partners.
If you or your organization are aware of grant opportunities, sponsorships, or resources that could help fund this important work, please reach out directly to:
Kariz Marcel, Program Director
Email: kariz@blakwatermusic.com
Your support helps ensure that Baltimore’s elder musicians are not forgotten; their voices, stories, and music will continue to inspire generations to come.