Brussels Jazz Orchestra and Tutu Puoane commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of Martin Luther King with a musical production around the theme of human rights.
Music provides comfort when the world is burning up. We Have a Dream (#WHAD) joins the many projects and records generated from this idea. WHAD is a musical project devoted to human rights. It presents new arrangements of great pop, rock, soul and jazz songs. Singer Tutu Puoane, from Antwerp with South African roots, sings with a raised fist, an indictment – a call for justice. The production has a universal message, more relevant today than ever. A tribute to human rights, and to its defenders.
Human rights and music somehow share a mutual attraction. Songs protesting slavery and war and pleading for equality are interwoven with the history of music of past centuries. Blues, reggae, folk, rock, hip-hop and jazz are beloved genres for songs about injustice, and even Beethoven was protesting against the war with his Ode to Joy.
Frank Vaganée and Tutu Puoane searched through their record collections and selected their personal favourites from the rich tradition of the protest song. From Stevie Wonder to Marvin Gaye, from Nina Simone to Sting, from Rod Stewart to Donny Hathaway, each and every one is a powerful song about injustice, oppression or inequality. Their universal message of hope is relevant today, more than ever.
The songs were arranged for jazz orchestra by arrangers from Brussels Jazz Orchestra as well as others (Bert Joris, Michell Herr, Gyuri Spies, Lode Mertens and Alan Ferber). The result is an exciting, daring and universally accessible mix of sounds and styles, in which Tutu’s great voice is supported and surrounded by the unique sound of the Brussels Jazz Orchestra.
Symphonic Version with OPRL
On 14 and 15 December 2018, Tutu Puoane, Brussels Jazz Orchestra and the OPRL (Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of Liege) will present the symphonic version of We Have A Dream. Expect songs from the We Have A Dream program, as well as a new song, in arrangements for double orchestra, commissioned especially for this occasion. These unique concerts will be led by conductor Charles Hazlewood.
Tutu Puoane about We Have a Dream:
“As a musician/artist, you sometimes wish that you can sing or write that one song that will wipe out racism, poverty, war and all injustices in the world. Sadly, songs can only shine a light on these matters but not necessarily change anything. We, musicians/artists, keep trying either way!”
Up Coming Concerts: