Habana Dream
The elegance of 1950s Cuba collides with a futuristic ambiance to animate Habana Dream. Featuring renowned Cuban trumpet master Lázaro Numa, this sultry musical celebration finds harmony across eras. Classical tones wash over new digital directions in a timeless lounge café. Recline into a sensuous journey to the past and future, mojitos included.
A memorable celebration at the Casa de las Américas, Habana. Victor Betancourt Estrada, Javier Moñito, and his artistic family illuminated the connections between the batá drums, medicinal plants, and ancestral migrations. Thanks to former Minister of Culture Abel Prieto, Zuleica Romay, and the CASA Consortium for hosting us, and to the Australian Embassy's Direct Aid Program for funding our project.
AFTERMATH…
IS A MUSICAL MEDITATION ON THE PARADOX OF FAILURE AND FREEDOM. REPEATED MISTAKES LOCK US INTO DESTRUCTIVE CYCLES, AND YET HUMAN NATURE URGES US TO LEARN FROM THE PAST.
VENTURE INTO THE WORLD OF CHILL-DUB WITH FEATURED VENEZUELAN GUITARIST DANIEL JAUREGUI.
ETHEREALIST combines the sublime strings of the Chinese Conservatory of Traditional Music with the urban attitude of Beijing trip-hop rapper Iceganga.
The result is a musical picture of Richard Nixon’s historic visit to China in 1972. Listen for quotes from that so-called “week that changed the world.”
Para Mientras
A VIBRANT SUNSET, THE MELODY OF A STREAM, AND THE TOUCH OF A BUTTERFLY. WE COMPOSED PARA MIENTRAS (IN THE MEANTIME) TO HONOUR SUCH MEMORIES. IT HOLDS THEM IN THE WOODEN VOICES OF A CHARANGO, THE ELECTRIC ENERGY OF A GUITAR, AND FUTURE-FACING SYNTHS. IT IS A SONG TO CARRY US, PARA MIENTRAS, TO THE NEXT SUNSET.
SPACE SUITS…
IS A VOYAGE INTO UNCERTAINTY. THE SONG WAS BEAUTIFULLY MASTERED BY MATTHEW TEMPLEMAN, COMPOSED BY ADRIAN HEARN, AND PRODUCED BY DANIEL JAUREGUI AT HARMONIC WHALE.
IN OUR VAST UNIVERSE THERE IS NO NEED FOR FEAR. EVEN THE DARKEST CHALLENGES TURN BRIGHT WHEN APPROACHED WITH OPTIMISM. FOREBODING MELODIES RESOLVE IN UPLIFTING HARMONIES, FINDING SUPPORT IN THE INFINITY OF OUR ANCESTORS.
How to connect with tradition, land, and each other during COVID?
Our Spirit Lines workshop with Your Community Health considered this challenge. Read about it here.
Spirit Lines with singer Uncle Kutcha Edwards, guitarist Daniel Jauregui, and percussionist Adrian Hearn is a unique experience. It's something between a performance, friends catching up, and a ceremony. The full concert at the Frankston Arts Center is online here.
Thanks to The Boite for hosting this performance of Spirit Lines, and to dancer Kathleen Gonzalez and videographers Fabian Cordero and Luis Gaitan.
Etherealist music video
How does music shape migration experiences? How can dance communicate wisdom across cultural boundaries? Intense Cuban drums and ancient Chinese flutes tell the story in our second Grainger Museum workshop. This short video shows the highlights.
In this collaboration we feature two musical storytellers. Armandito García is known for his blend of the Eastern Cuban changüí style with the commanding voice of his trumpet. Wang Zheng-Ting is an expert of the Chinese sheng mouth organ and di flute. Both of these innovators use music to teach about their cultures, traditions, and migration experiences.
Don’t ask
Stressful days and sleepless nights are a sign of our times, but their causes can dissolve. Those are the times when the big picture becomes clear: a planet, a universe, and the vast simplicity of nature. Times like this are not for thinking how and asking why, but for hearing the wind and feeling the way.
Guests: Jesse Wolff (cello, USA), Mark Schuh (guitar, USA)
Nothing like the Festival of Nations to celebrate springtime in Melbourne! Thanks Luis Gaitan for putting this together.
Live and original: thanks Live N Local Festival and Elwood Lounge for celebrating with SOM!
We love playing this Irakere tune...and testing public astronomy skills
A hot night with Suns of Mercury at Bar Oussou.
Cooking up a storm: Oscar Jimenez, Luis Poblete, Daniel Jauregui, Jethro Negron, Romy Hernandez, and Adrian Hearn. Amazing visual projections by Luis Gaitan.
Suns of Mercury's Adrian Hearn, Rodolfo "Panga" Hechavarría, and Wang Zheng-Ting discuss the healing power of drums, plants, and multicultural music. Click here to listen. Thanks to Andi Hovarth, Claudia Hooper, and the Eavesdrop on Experts team.
