Lara Downes, the pianist on this album, is also credited as an executive producer and the author of the liner notes for the track "This Land."
Composer's Artistic Vision
George Gershwin, the composer of "Rhapsody in Blue," envisioned it as a "musical kaleidoscope of America," blending sounds and traditions.
Composer Biography
Michael Begay, composer of "Adéihozhdílzin/Know Who You Are," was born in what is now the American Southwest and grew up on the Navajo Nation in Northern Arizona.
Historical Context
Woody Guthrie, whose song "This Land is Your Land" is featured in a variation on this album, criss-crossed the country during the Great Depression, sharing the road with displaced farmers and factory workers.
Recording & Production
This album features several world premiere recordings, including George Gershwin/Edmar Colón's "Rhapsody in Blue Reimagined" and Michael Begay's "Adéihozhdílzin/Know Who You Are."
Recording & Production
The album's "Rhapsody in Blue Reimagined" was recorded in October 2023 at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, while all other tracks were recorded in May 2024 at Elmwood Road Studio.
