Momentum,Pt. 2 - first single from the album The Transformations Suite

by Samora Pinderhughes | visit www.transformationssuite.com for more info

ALBUM OUT OCTOBER 12

Lyrics:

These questions must be asked:
Why are there millions of poor people in America?
Who owns the banks?
Who owns the prisons, and who are its occupants?
Why do some have billions, while most struggle to survive?

We can’t sit idly by while some profit off of the pain of others.
While gates both visible and invisible separate the wealthy from the hungry... When the consequences of these barriers result in everything from flooded homes to broken dreams.
When death is a cost we have grown accustomed to bearing,   
we cannot compromise in our pursuit of justice.
We cannot retreat in the face of inequity,
We cannot ignore the patterns of brutality,
We will NOT be silenced!

The depression is coming in heavy.
I can feel it from all corners, shape-shifting around me. Betrayal lays like a heavy fog in the air I breathe.
I know I’m a target... but I must keep moving.

On this blistering August day, we stand face to face with our beloved country, as we have done so many times before,
and demand:
You’re very fabric must be changed! (America) YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN!
And as our final hour draws ever, ever closer, it seems to me in my sanctified imagination, that we cry...
that we cry...
Now! Now! Now! Now! Now! Now, Now, Now, Now, NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The Transformations Suite combines music, theatre, and poetry to examine the radical history of resistance within the communities of the African Diaspora. Continuing in the tradition of artists such as Bob Marley, Duke Ellington, Marvin Gaye, Billie Holiday and Tupac Shakur, the suite paints a musical picture of the current state of social inequality and injustice in the United States and beyond.

"An urgent and powerful record by one of this generation's most captivating composers. A must have record for anyone interested in progress. Musically or otherwise.." 
-Christian Scott

"An absolutely gorgeous piece of music. A huge undertaking; a nuanced, delicate, and powerful perspective on heavy and important topics."
-Anna Deavere Smith

art must reflect life.
#tsuitemoments #continuethestruggle

- - - - 

Personnel:

Samora Pinderhughes - piano, composer, creator
Jeremie Harris - spoken word
Jehbreal Muhammad Jackson - vocals
Elena Pinderhughes - flute
Riley Mulherkar - trumpet
Lucas Pino - tenor saxophone
Tony Lustig - baritone saxophone
Clovis Nicolas - bass
Jimmy Macbride - drums

Momentum, Pt. 2 - from the album The Transformations Suite

Samora Pinderhughes is a composer/pianist/vocalist known for large multidisciplinary projects and for using music to examine sociopolitical issues. 
Samora is the first ever 2018 Arts for Justice + Soros Justice Fellow.
Mentored by Anna Deavere Smith, Samora created The Transformations Suite, recognized by Apple Music as a Top 10 album of the year. 
A graduate of the Juilliard School, Samora has collaborated with artists including Herbie Hancock, Glenn Ligon, Sara Bareilles, and Lalah Hathaway. A Sundance Composers Lab fellow, Samora has written music for the HBO film The Tale, the Netflix film Burning Sands and more. He collaborates frequently with Common, and is the lead vocalist on the new album August Greene.

DJ, Broadcaster, Musical Journeyman - currently to be found on Jazz FM (jazzfm.com) and onejazz.net

Pianist/Composer
Emirates Pursuit of Jazz Top 10 '18