Nearly a decade ago, PARMA and its family of artists made their first splash into the Cuban music scene. What followed was a variety of collaborations between American composers and Cuban instrumentalists, arrangers, singers, and composers. The resulting works were enriched with energy unique to the interaction of two powerful musical traditions.
As we emerge from winter and prepare for the sun-drenched days lie ahead, we revisited a few selections from our productions in Cuba that pair perfectly with the cool, energetic spirit of the summer. Read on for a look at the results of our recording endeavors in Havana, and sign up to hear first about future recording opportunities.
ABRAZO: THE HAVANA SESSIONS
In November 2015, less than one year after initial steps toward fully opening relations between the United States and Cuba, PARMA Recordings produced the first of its recording projects in Havana. The resulting album, ABRAZO: THE HAVANA SESSIONS on the newly-minted Ansonica Records label, presents works for big band, small jazz combo, choir, and chamber ensembles by several contemporary composers.
“Producing new music by living composers is my passion, and hearing musicians play with this level of preparation, dedication, and ingenuity was invigorating,” says PARMA CEO Bob Lord. “We went right to the source, and sure enough they brought a totally new dimension to the music — a Cuban dimension, feel, sound, and perspective unlike anything else in the world.”
CORO DEL MUNDO
Continuing in the series of Cuban recorded Ansonica Records projects comes CORO DEL MUNDO – choir of the world. With tracks ranging from sacred to secular, and from delicate to aggressive, the surprising cohesiveness of the composers’ work is astonishingly beautiful and impassioned. Schola Cantorum Coralina and Vocal Luna contribute exquisite vocals to the proceedings.
With its blend of religious and cultural influences, CORO DEL MUNDO is proof that different faiths and beliefs can sit together comfortably at the same musical table.
INTERSECTIONS
INTERSECTIONS showcases the talents of Cuban musicians in a variety of large ensemble and chamber settings. Moreover, the pieces in the album’s contents are replete with symbols that touch on the promise of this new beginning in American-Cuban relations, and suggest some of the darkness that preceded it.
CHÉVERE
CHÉVERE richly explores and demonstrates the myriad cultural intersections that have recently become available to American and Cuban musicians. Some of these connections are relatively straightforward, while others are more nuanced and personal; yet, they all enrich the compositions on CHÉVERE with an irreplicable spirit and verve.
