| Jazz |
The year 2025 carries us from one universe to another, each more inventive and astonishing than the last. The globalized world of jazz offers its most exquisite works, often, as in this case, particularly demanding and admirable; reminding us that jazz is also a political and defiant art form.
Gustavo Cortiñas’ latest album, The Crisis Knows No Borders, presents a compelling musical narrative that delves into sustainability and global interconnectedness. Surrounded by an exceptional ensemble; including guitarist Dave Miller, tenor saxophonist Jon Irabagon, and violinist Mark Feldman; Cortiñas breathes life into a powerful and poignant work.
Drawing inspiration from the socio-political and humanitarian implications of climate change, La Crise Ne Connaît Pas de Frontières confronts the existential threat posed by global warming. Through a vibrant collection of compositions, Cortiñas underscores how these issues transcend borders, fueling armed conflicts, poverty, famine, and forced migrations.
Like a contemporary theatrical work, the musical writing here is profound, successfully awakening our consciousness and compelling us to reflect. Writers such as Paul Auster have similarly sought to capture these sentiments in their time. As the French newspaper L’Echo once wrote, “A staunch democrat, he stood alongside those who criticized the Bush administration, denounced the war in Iraq, and mourned the point of no return after 9/11. The election of Donald Trump was for him an abyssal shock.” (see here: L’Echo).
Musically, Gustavo Cortiñas’ work is profound and invigorating. Faithful to his rigorous conceptual approach, he wields music as a tool for awareness. His 2021 album, Desafío Candente, offered a deep reflection on heritage, folklore, and colonialism, bringing together more than 30 musicians and speakers from 11 countries across 14 pieces. In 2022, Kind Regards explored the immigrant experience in the United States. “While my previous projects addressed colonialism and immigration,” says Cortiñas, “this time, I seek to confront the existential threats looming over our civilization. My hope is to inspire unity and empathy through music, reminding us of our shared humanity and intertwined destinies.”
It is fascinating to observe that, in the most troubled times, artists seem to draw from the depths of their reflections to transmute them into art. The poet Léo Ferré often proclaimed, “Art is a state of emergency,” a sentiment that was passed on to me and in which I have always believed. This truth is reaffirmed in Cortiñas’ album, just as it is in the canvases of Vladimir Veličković. It is hard not to find fragments of our own thoughts in such works; the power of art lies in its ability to sublimate human contemplation.
A man of his time, Cortiñas blends classical music, rock, jazz, and world influences into an inspiring creation that commands both respect and an intimate, thoughtful listening experience. He expresses deep gratitude to the musicians who brought this project to life, emphasizing their unique contributions: Kitt provides a solid rhythmic foundation on bass, Joaquin excels in technical precision and textural richness, Matt Davis infuses trombone lines with passion and intensity, Artie defines the group’s sound on saxophone, while Drew Hansen enriches the brass harmonies and melodic structures.
An indispensable album, if ever there was one; this is the kind of work that reminds those of us who merely put words around art of its true significance and necessity.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent for Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief – Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
Editor for All About Jazz
PARIS-MOVE, March 26th 2025
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