Drummer Antonio Sanchez’s two hour concert at the intimate Great Hall at the Saraya showed that one doesn’t need to use speeches to get social messages across. His Migration band of John Escreet/key, Matt Brewer/b, Chase Baird/ts-ewi and Thana Alexa/voc create musical stories to deliver his important message of addressing various perspectives of America’s current immigration situation.
As he said between songs, Sanchez is proud to be both born Mexican and to be an American citizen, with the music that he presented from his most recent two albums to reflect on both how lucky we are to live here, and yet, in reflection of one of his album titles, that because of where he came from he is not a “Bad Hombre” as has been stated in our recent political theatre.
Sanchez has wisely chosen to let the music tell the stories, with Thana Alexa’s voice mostly being used to heighten dramatic effect rather than deliver a reprimand. The opening opus “Travesa” (which translates to “The Crossing”) began with sounds of immigrants being policed, segueing into a moody and dramatic cinematic journey that had Baird alternate on urgent tenor and stratospheric EWI both blending with and contrasting with Alexa’s ethereal voice. The more concise “Long Road” as well as dreamy “Home” were liturgical arias that spotlighted Alexa’s haunting voice, sometimes enhanced by electronic loops and other moments caressed by Escreet’s careful keyboards.
All through the evening, Sanchez was a master at the drums, creating a volcanic funky beat with Brewer on the marathon “Bad Hombres Y Mujeres” which also featured a kinetic conversation between husband and wife, with the bride’s voice reaching astonishing dynamics and range, reaching a frenzied climax as Baird’s tenor jumped into the fire.
The concluding “Lines In the Sand” went from a rich bass solo provided by Brewer’s electric fingers to abstract and spacey journeys into visceral dimensions. With the 20+ minute piece concluding with an upbeat and optimistic climax, Sanchez showed that messages can be delivered and dialogues encouraged in many ways, making one think of St. Francis of Assisi’s famous line “ preach the gospel always, use words if necessary.”
Pat Metheny’s sideman showed the enthused house at the cozy Great Hall that he has his own voice, and doesn’t need lyrics to deliver it.
Upcoming shows at the Soroya Center include Red Baraat with VIdya Vox 03/28, Christian McBride’s Big Band 04/26 and Vijay Iyer’s Sextet 05/10-11