nothin Zimmerman, Christoferson Jam For Homeless | New Haven Independent

Zimmerman, Christoferson
Jam For The Homeless

Seated in the trunk of a 1993 Volvo parked on a cement path on the New Haven Green Adam Christoferson and Walter Zimmerman worked out chords and lyrics to a new song. They drew an audience — a police officer who, removing his Oakley sunglasses, wanted to know What are you guys up to?”

Holding his wooden name-engraved guitar in his left hand, Christoferson stopped strumming and shook the officer’s hand.

Hey, I’m Adam,” he said I know that my car is illegally parked here, but the box that I usually use to generate my equipment isn’t working here, which I usually use to make my music. I know the electrician so I’m working on getting that fixed. As for now, we will be here for a little longer if that’s cool with you.”

The officer left the scene, heading over to the Occupy New Haven encampment across the Green, as Christoferson and Zimmerman resumed working on their song. They were up to” more than just jamming — they were beginning work on a CD to be produced largely by and to benefit people living on the streets. Working title: Homeless for the Holidays”

This day they were working on lyrics to a song they were writing together. They recorded the lines into Christoferson’s LG Optimus phone for now. Later, as more people become involved in the project, as more songs get written, they hope to go into a studio and make the CD, in time for Christmas.

When I think of heaven, I think of eternity with you,” they sang. These are words of you./ You are king, you are king./ Lord, You are our savior.”

Christoferson met Zimmerman, a homeless middle-aged man, while walking the Green in search of musically inclined” finds. Zimmerman, a former bass player for Cornerstone Church was seated on one of the benches, admiring the warm Sunday, when Christoferson approached him.

Christoferson and Zimmerman brainstorm lyrics.

Christoferson is a 27-year-old graduate from Southern Connecticut State University with a major in recreational therapy. He spends most of his days playing music with people that deserve it most in their lives. Everyone has a story, and I try to voice that through the music that we create, whether you are musically inclined or not.” On days where Christoferson is not creating music with children in the psychiatric unit at the Yale New Haven Hospital, I work with the homeless. I find them wherever I can. I have found that the homeless in New Haven have a great passion for music and their spirituality. I like to express their spiritual connection to God through the music that we create because it is so powerful. They have a lot to say, and when I give them the opportunity to voice themselves, they use it to their advantage and speak from their heart.”

The new CD project will feature original tracks developed, created, and produced by the homeless. Once the CDs are made, the participants will sell them and keep the proceeds, Christopherson said. Zimmerman is his first recruit. He hopes to fines six to 10. Christoferson hopes to have 20 copies of the final CD for each participant to sell. He’s paying for the project out of his pocket. (To donate money or learn more, check out his website or email him.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).)

I like to help out in the best way I know how, which is by making and sharing my love of music,” he said. I hope people in New Haven will buy the CD and enjoy it during the holidays. Making music with the homeless and working on this project has made me feel so fortunate about my life.”

As Zimmerman rushed off to the homeless shelter for the night, the two closed their eyes, and prayed: Thank you Lord for allowing Walter and I to gather here to make music. Please give us the opportunity to meet again. We are so grateful. Bless Walter and may he go off in peace. Amen.”

Ariela Martin is a student at Cooperative Arts & Humanities High School.

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