When we spoke with composer/musician Antonio Sanchez a year ago about his performances of his acclaimed soundtrack for the motion picture Birdman, he said that as much as he’d love to perform his then most recent album, Bad Hombre, on stage, it would take some time to figure out how to do that music live. It looks like he solved that problem as Sanchez and Migration are teaming up for two live performances of the album on Wednesday and Thursday night at The Soraya at Cal State Northridge.
The title, Bad Hombre, found its inspiration in the way Donald Trump characterized people who were coming over the border from Mexico. It also found inspiration in the way ICE was handling immigrants as he discussed in our interview last year.
Migration is made up of Chase Baird (Saxophone), John Escreet (Piano), Matt Brewer (Bass) and Thana Alexa (Vocals).
Just as he did with the Birdman performances, Sanchez has a new album out while he’s on tour for the previous one. The new recording is called Lines in the Sand. Sanchez, an immigrant from Mexico, makes it clear in the liner notes what his inspiration is for the new recording.
“The United States of America is a country of immigrants. The mixture of races, creeds, languages and cultures that coexist here is what makes it great and what sets it aside from so many other wonderful countries.
“I believe that integration, inclusion and education make the human race stronger and greater but, if history has ever taught us anything it is that there will always be forces trying to divide us through fear and ignorance.
“I’m a proud immigrant. A proud Mexican and a proud American that feels torn by the injustices that are being perpetrated against so many innocent people in search of a better life.
This album is dedicated to them and their journey.”
Perhaps this time next year he’ll be touring behind that album.
Photo courtesy of AntonioSanchez.net
