Omar Sosa: Composer
Across the King’s River proudly welcomes visionary pianist Omar Sosa as composer. Omar Sosa’s musical trajectory traces the Diaspora from Cuba to Brazil; from Central America to Ecuador’s African-descent communities; from San Francisco and New York to Western Europe, the Mediterranean, and the African continent. True to his Afro-Cuban origins, Omar Sosa fashions a spirited vision of uncompromising artistic generosity that embraces humanity at large.
Winner of the Smithsonian Associates’ lifetime achievement award, a three-time GRAMMY nominee, and nominated twice for both the BBC World Music awards and the Jazz Journalists Association awards, Omar Sosa entwines the cultural traditions of Africa, Europe, and the Americas in a unique, cosmopolitan voice. Omar’s search for musical freedom transcends orthodoxy, as an artist who exemplifies Monk’s determination never to play the same thing twice. He crafts a stylistically unique yet thoroughly contemporary global jazz idiom that celebrates the diversity of voices in the music of the Americas and far beyond.
Yet Omar always cultivates an intimate sense of connection with his own Afro-Cuban roots. As he relates, “Africa and the Diaspora represent an unequaled musical source. I have tried to express the continent’s melodic contour, and its great rhythmic strength. Rhythm connects every people with the supreme Spirit. Every land has ways of calling the Spirits, to pull people together. Philosophically, through jazz—perhaps the Diaspora’s freest genre—we have sought to combine the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa in an expression of freedom, a celebration of the Diaspora, alive in our times.”
Lucie Schwartz: Videographer
Lucie Schwartz is a journalist and documentary filmmaker with a strong background in television production and international reporting. Lucie grew up in France, where she was raised by an American father and a French mother. She has also lived in Belgium and in Italy, is fluent in French and proficient in Italian and Spanish. She has reported in France and in India. “Arresting Ana” is Lucie’s first documentary film. She received the Margaret and Will Hearst Prize for Documentary Excellence for her work on the film. Lucie holds a Bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from New York University and a Master’s degree in journalism and documentary film from the University of California, Berkeley. She currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.
For more information go to: www.lucieschwartz.com.
Andrew Sikora:
Across the King’s River proudly welcomes visionary artist Andrew Sikora for the creation of the King’s River T-shirt line and all promotional merchandise. From digital graphics to old school traditional pencils and inks, Andrew is master of many styles who has worked for some of the largest apparel firms in the world including VF Corporation whose brands include Lee®, Majestic®, Nautica®, Eagle Creek®, Harley-Davidson® and Wrangler. His distinctive style is widely sought after in the apparel design world. He is the driving force behind Eternyl Studios. To see more of his work, visit www.eternyl.com.
Shimrit Berman: Web Designer
Shimrit Berman is the heart of the Across The King’s River website design. “When I saw the work she did for another filmmaker, I knew I wanted her energy and vision on this project,” says producer James Weeks. Berman, an independent journalist and web designer/producer based in North California, has worked as a writer, web producer and graphic designer as well as in TV production and photography.
Mannie Rabara: Graphic Artist
Mannie Rabara is the creative genius behind the Sacred Journey calendar fine art series. He’s based in Oakland, California and works as a graphic designer for The Clorox Company. He also designs websites and biz cards and can be contacted at mannie.rabara@gmail.com
Special thanks to Leticia Vizcaino for her daily translations of the King’s River Facebook posts into Spanish. We love you Lety, and you have brought us so much closer to our vision. Peace and blessings to you and your family.
–
-
-
A warm welcome to Ailton Pinheiro Moreira for his wonderful translations of the King’s River Facebook posts into Portugese. Ailton, what would we do without you? And yes, we plan to visit you in Brazil one day. Peace and love to you. Thank you!!
