USA Projects

As the title suggests, this project is Oscar Peñas’ latest musical adventure. Peñas, a guitarist and composer born in Barcelona and a resident in the USA since 2005, defines this journey with a collection of eight pieces, six originals and two arranged covers, that could be described as a voyage through the different genres that Peñas loves and have influenced him the most.

Every composition features a groove from his native Spain or a different part of Latin America, and the element that connects and gives them unity is Jazz. It is also a sequel to his previous critically acclaimed work “From Now On” (2011). Jazz is also the reason that brought together the members and musicians featured in this project; they are all New Yorkers who are originally from somewhere else.

All funds raised through USA Projects will allow for the production of his new album. The project is already started and the music is written. The album will include the participation of three Grammy awardees as special guests: USA, Esperanza Spalding (voice), Cuban born and USA resident, Paquito D’Rivera (clarinet), and USA, Gil Goldstein (accordion).

The band itself is formed by guitarist and composer, Catalan born, USA resident Oscar Peñas as leader of the ensemble, Japanese, Moto Fukushima plays six-string electric bass, Argentinean, Franco Pinna on drums and bombo legüero, USA, violinist Sara Caswell, and Brazilian, Rogerio Bocatto (pandeiro and cajon).

“Music of Departures and Returns” includes a core trio composed of guitar (electric or nylon-string), six-string electric bass and drums and every song presents a different guest: voice, violin, clarinet, accordion and miscellaneous percussion (bombo legüero, cajon, pandeiro). Hints of flamenco, Choro from Brazil, bolero from Cuba, tango and chacarera from Argentina, are styles present on this album along with his humble interpretation of Cuban singer/songwriter Silvio Rodriguez and Catalan composer Federico Mompou. The arrangements embrace different configurations of the above-mentioned instruments ranging from trio to quintet, blending different sonic textures of the acoustic and electric worlds.

The album will be recorded in Union City, NJ at Kaleidoscope Sound Studios in two different sessions to accommodate the busy schedules of the renowned musicians. The first session will be on March 4th, 2013 and the second later in the month. Post-production will follow – including overdubs, editing, mixing and mastering.

In order to make this project a reality we need to raise $15,470 USD, which will allow us to pay the musician fees, studio rental fees, and post productions elements, also sound engineers fees for recording, editing, mixing and mastering.

If we surpass our funding goal for the project, all additional funds will be employed to pay a graphic designer and CD manufacturer. Additionally, we will have to pay for promotional campaigns that would include traditional printed press, Ads, postcards, digi-cards, Publicist rep and press release, new-media (internet forums and blogs) and radio to make the music of “Music of Departures and Returns” reachable to a wider population as possible in US and abroad.

We also would like to submit the CD to Festivals around the world and find opportunities for tours and distribution of it.

Thank you for your contribution. Every quarter counts.

Sincerely,

Oscar Peñas