Welcome to Ned Mann's website!
I was an active member of the NYC music scene, both as a bassist and an engineer/producer. Then eleven years ago ALS struck- ending my career and finally taking away my mobility. The illness, known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, imposes intense hardships, both physically and mentally. The primary purpose of this website is to raise funds and awareness for ALS research. My hope is that if I can help even one family avoid the hardships caused by ALS, it will be a worthwhile endeavor.
My concept for
this charity began with a simple idea. I would have my brother,
saxophonist David Mann, record one song. I called my dearest friends
and mentors, and the original inspiration has now been transformed into a
much larger and more exciting project- producing CDs to raise money for
the ALS Association.
In 2009 I discovered a system that
allowed me to control a PC again. It
uses a laser to reflect off a dot on my glasses! It was the start of an amazing transformation. Friends came out and built me a
Protools LE studio and helped me build my website. Most importantly, I was miraculously able to get back to
doing what I loved: creating music!
The
support from the musical community was overwhelming - everyone from
musicians to studios, from designers to CD manufacturers, all generously
donated their time and talents. Their
gift allowed me, with David's help, to produce two CDs with all-star
lineups. I spent six months mixing and
mastering them myself using Pro Tools. I have
had help from dozens and dozens of people, and the project continues to
grow.
Downloads are available
from: iTunes, AmazonMP3, and Napster
All profits
will be donated to the ALS
Association
There is a wonderful article in this months International Musician about the project.
After years away it is amazing to be back producing, editing, and mixing! Being involved with David on a creative level again has been unbelievable. It was not only a labor of love but an act of self preservation- keeping me positive, focused and engaged. What a gift to have music reappear in my life! It has been a true blessing, and demonstrates that as long as one has hope anything is possible.
It has been a great joy to reconnect with all the wonderful, talented, and creative people that I have the good fortune to call my colleagues and, more importantly, my friends.
I would like to invite everyone to contact me at: ned@helpnedfightals.org
If you belong to facebook please join my fanclub at: Help Ned Fight ALS Fanclub. I hope to see you! It means so much to me to be in touch with you all.
Thank you for visiting- you have become a part of my journey, and a valuable ally in our ongoing search for a cure for ALS. Enjoy!
Ned Mann
Below is the link to my hero Lou Gehrig's famous "luckiest man alive" speech. He says it better than I ever could.
