The Cast CD of Holding the Torch for Liberty: Professional jazz musicians from New Orleans, Columbia University and Jazz at Lincoln Center combine forces with bright young talent from Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music to record a CD of Holding the Torch for Liberty, the jazz musical about women’s suffrage. With story, music and lyrics by jazz musician Eli Yamin and teacher Clifford Carlson, this musical uses ragtime, classic blues, New Orleans style, and Cuban inspired music to tell the story of women fighting for and winning the right to vote in 1920.
Produced by The Jazz Drama Program, a non-profit company founded in 2003 to bring jazz to young people and get them involved. With over 64 performances in 4 states and 2 countries and licensing of the show available through Theatrical Rights Worldwide, The Jazz Drama Program is poised to make Holding the Torch for Liberty a national sensation through community based productions around the U.S. and abroad in this presidential election year.
“The hippest move in jazz education, ever.”
JazzTimes
“Thank you Eli for the wonderful experience you have allowed our students to have with the Jazz Drama Program and the recording at Avatar Studios.
I share your vision and dream to have students experience music and apply its force to guide them through life.” Dr. William Rodriguez, Principal Celia Cruz H.S.
“Pianist Eli Yamin is a communicator who believes jazz can foster a sense of community. His work is expansive and extroverted, populist in the best sense.”
George Kanzler, All About Jazz New York
“I have to congratulate you … for your creative approach.”
Dave Brubeck, pianist/composer
Holding the Torch for Liberty Recording Credits
Holding the Torch for Liberty, the Jazz Musical by Eli Yamin & Clifford Carlson
Produced by The Jazz Drama Program
All vocal songs by Eli Yamin & Clifford Carlson, published by BMI
All instrumentals by Eli Yamin, published by BMI
Musicians:
Conductor, Piano: Eli Yamin (Eli Yamin is a Steinway Artist)
Clarinet, Flute: Evan Christopher
Violin: Sara Caswell
Trombone, Euphonium: Chris Washburne
Bass: Nicki Parrott
Drums, Percussion: Stefan Schatz
Vocalists:
The Jazz Drama Program Singers:
Asia Sanchez, Baldwin Pena, Rossell Agpaoa, Justin Rivera, Drew Maiden, Tiffany Araya, Alice Olom, Georgina Mella, Darlene Guiterrez, Shantaysha Peprah, Ambar Lopez, Anaie Loyola, Lisa Gwasd, Iva Kostic, Sofia D'Alessandro
Producer: Eli Yamin
Associate Producer: Clifford Carlson
Executive Producers: Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Theatrical Rights Worldwide, Avatar Studios
Recording & Mix Engineer: Jim Anderson
Assistant Engineer: Tim Marchiafava
Mastered by Alan Silverman at Arf! Productions
Recorded at Avatar Studios (in Studio C) on Oct 29, 2011 and Dec 11, 2011
Artistic Director, The Jazz Drama Program: Eli Yamin
Vocal Performance: Judith Greentree
Choral Instructor: Lisa Gwasda
Cover Illustration: Sarah Edkins
Packaging Design: Scott Johnson
Thanks to:
Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music, Kirk Imamura, Jim Anderson, Alan Silverman, Dr. William Rodriguez, Shireen Dickson, Jim Hoare, Steve Spiegel and all the supporters of The Jazz Drama Program.
This CD is dedicated to the memory of Phoebe Jacobs whose tireless support of jazz and jazz education for children made The Jazz Drama Program possible.
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