We recently connected with Maurice Sanabria-Ortiz and have shared our conversation below.
Maurice, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
We just released Kadencia Orchestra’s second album, ( The fist album was recorded in Puerto Rico in 2020) what makes this album special and meaningful is that it’s the first album that I able record with my son. We moved from Puerto Rico to the U.S. searching for a better quality of life, but the music, the traditions and culture moved with us to the U.S. mainland. We play Bomba, Plena and salsa, Afro-Puerto Rican genres. Most of the songs were written with a sense in mind that we still miss our beatifull homeland and it also brings a variety of musical genres that showcase the the band versatility. With a mix of musician from the United States, and Puerto Rico, we have a blend that presents a unique sound.
Maurice, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I started my professional musical career while serving in the U.S. Army, playing with salsa bands in Germany, Texas, and Puerto Rico, now in Virginia. I am a singer/songwriter that mainly concentrate in Afro Puerto Rican music. Kadencia is an orchestra dedicated to conserving and promoting Afro-Puerto Rican music. The band uses Bomba, Plena, and Salsa to promulgate Puerto Rican culture, educate audiences on our Island’s native musical expressions, and make your body move in ways you never knew possible.
Why Bomba, Plena, and Salsa?
These rhythms are native to Puerto Rico and they were forged out of a necessity to communicate through song everything that is good and bad about our history, culture, and daily life. Music is one of the primary channels used by our people, whether in the mountains or “barrios”, to express social and economic injustice. Bomba and Plena are also conduits of joy that make people sing and dance like there is no tomorrow. Our mission is simple and straightforward; we will make you dance and have a great time while learning about the culture and music of Puerto Rico.
We also educate our children in our culture and traditions by offering workshops to children in schools and other cultural centers.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Our goal is to educate audiences in our native musical expressions. We also want to provide the children that are being raised in the United States with a tool so they know about their heritage, from where their parents came from, and why they left their homeland to provide for them a better life. This album provides a snapshots of history such as: No Me quite El Tambor, a song the presents an enslaved person that ask his slaver to keep his drum, since it will be like taking his live. La Revolución Taina talks about the natives that drowned a Spanish soldier to test is they were gods or humans. Plena songs how are played in the streets of Puerto Rico, another song about the coffee on the mountain, the aroma of the coffee, and many others.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
I wish I knew a lot more about video editing, since we have to hire people that are experts editors to have a quality product. Videos in this new era are an essential tool as important as the music recording itself. The changes in the marketing arena, regarding social media, electronic music distribution, are somer of the areas that are very important to the musician/entrepreneur.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://express.adobe.com/page/kUk7pSya5TnT2/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kadenciapr/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KadenciaPR/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4ZS-uulTF1cLE0R6VJHhEw
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7s04LkcoUEL0kScylRzuwg?si=2STSfB4kSjCPTy2FSzPs2g&nd=1
Image Credits
José Avilies Ashley Travis I have the right and permission