Spanish Harlem Orchestra: ArtistShare CD Crowdfunding Is Their Only Hope To Continue Project

The Spanish Harlem Orchestra (SHO) is a Salsa and Latin Jazz orchestral band that was formed in 2001 by Oscar Hernández. The group has gone on to win two Grammy Awards and every one of their CDs has received a Grammy nomination.

They are based in New York City, the birthplace of salsa music, but are internationally-renowned and frequently tour worldwide. SHO's mission is to create passionate Jazz and Latin songs that are authentic and respectful of their traditions. They regularly release CDs to spread their art, but this year they must either raise enough money through crowdfunding for the project or forego it entirely.

As stated on their website, SHO's mission is to "keep the musical legacy of salsa dura 'hard salsa' alive and expand its audience to those who love great music, not just Latin music. Grounded in the past, while focused on the future, they strive to keep the music relevant, while creating a unique and fresh approach."

As part of their effort to expand salsa's audience, SHO is hoping release their ArtistShare Project: Spanish Harlem Orchestra CD on August 15. This album will feature two legendary guests: Chick Corea, an iconic jazzman and composer, and Joe Lovano, a multifaceted jazz musician.

With such quality and integrity comes cost, and it could possibly prevent the project from being released at all. SHO is attempting to release the CD without any sort of help from an established record company so as to avoid any outside influence seeping into their project.

According to their website, SHO is looking to crowdfunding to raise the money, "with the goal of creating beautiful music that is steeped in history and tradition while maintaining the highest quality and artistic integrity."

SHO's ArtistShare Project has only seven days left to either reach their goal or cancel distributing the CD. SHO has been an important part of shaping and preserving New York's salsa music, so consider donating to their cause here so they can accomplish their admirabile mission.

Tags

Latin, Jazz, Grammy Awards