Alexis Cuadrado -bass
Linda Briceño -trumpet & flugelhorn
Román Filiu -soprano & alto saxes, flute
Caroline Davis -tenor sax
Ryan Keberle -trombone
Sara Caswell -violin
Yuhan Su -vibraphone
Ed Cherry -guitar
Martha Kato -piano
Shirazette Tinnin -drums
Films by Alice Guy-Blaché, Harold M.Shaw, and Charlie Chaplin. Music composed and Arranged by Alexis Cuadrado
Silent Film Scores for Social Justice is a cultural project that serves as an agent of social change. It marries newly composed music to a set of films, most of them over a century old, that feature social issues that are still part of our current daily news cycle: Immigration, women’s rights, poverty, inequality, and LGTBQ rights. This combination of silent film with contemporary music opens up new ways to frame, discuss, and activate subjects we must confront.
The pieces engage in a dialog across time and integrate my compositional voice with practical activism. The music ponders who we are as a society, how we have evolved since the films were made, and what we can do to progress on these social justice fronts. These questions may not be easy to answer, but bringing them up engages the audience encouraging them to get involved in the causes presented by the films and music.
The group comprises some of the most respected musicians in the New York jazz and New Music scenes. Each score uses a different combination of ensemble members, giving the appropriate tone to complement each film. The music also showcases my ensemble’s incredible musicianship level, which delivers staggering and emotional performances.
This project has also changed how I lead my group. Prompted by a poignant question by my daughter, who one day asked me, “Why are you always playing with men? Where are the women?” I committed to having a more gender-balanced ensemble and engaging an equal number of male and female musicians. This became a transformative experience as a bandleader and producer.
Please note that all profits from the merchandise sales at the performances will be donated to NGOs that support communities that experience the issues tackled by the movies. Over the last three years, we have raised over $3000 and intend to continue doing so with these works’ recordings and future performances.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Alexis Cuadrado
With support from Spain Arts and Culture
SPONSORSHIP
The Jazz Gallery is a not-for-profit arts organization presenting emerging artists who challenge convention, take creative risks, and lead their field as performers, composers and thinkers. We provide a platform for artists to discover their unique voice and a home for established musicians to continue to experiment and grow. At The Jazz Gallery, artists and audiences come together from around the world to explore new creative ideas, collaborate and celebrate jazz as a dynamic art form that reflects our ever-changing world.
We rely on the generosity of our members and community to keep the music playing, thank you for your continued and much appreciated support! If you would like to sponsor a Livestream Concert, please use the links above or be in touch with our Executive Director, Janet Luhrs, here.