Conjunto Philadelphia

WHY WE NEED YOU

Conjunto Philadelphia is asking that you share in our musical journey and help us tear down geographic and political walls! Your gift can help the band:

1 | Record, master, and distribute a music album*

2 | Go on tour to share this music with the world - starting with a trip to Cuba to share our interpretation and homage to this music with the Cuban people* 

*See more detailed explanations below!

We would like to travel to Havana and record our album prior to and during that trip (at EGREM studios, where the Buena Vista Social Club recorded). 

Please help us reach our goal to raise $18,975.

HOW YOUR GIFTS CAN HELP

A $5,000 gift can cover recording time in the US and Havana.
A $1,000 gift can help cover the costs of mastering the album.
A $500 gift can cover flights for one musician.
A $100 gift can cover accommodations for one musician for one night.
A $75 gift can provide a visa for one musician.
A $30 gift can cover the mechanical licenses to distribute one song.
A $10 gift can cover the cost of four CDs and their packaging.

WHY WE EXIST

I founded Conjunto Philadelphia in 2010 as a way to recreate the incredible music I had heard in a documentary entitled “Buena Vista Social Club.” This film tells the story of older Cuban musicians who were forgotten about for many years after the Cuban Revolution and chronicles their work to revitalize Cuban music on the world stage during the mid 1990’s.

The music resonated with me in such a way no music had ever done before. It was infectious, intriguing, innovative, and – most of all – magical. The sounds were a melting pot of West African, European and Spanish cultures, and this piqued my curiosity – I just had to know more.

I've since traveled to Cuba five times to study the music and the culture that I've fallen so in love with. This music is a passion in my life and I'm so lucky to be able to explore it each and every time Conjunto Philadelphia performs.

-Jeff Torchon



OUR PLANS

1 | Record, master, and distribute an album of the group's music.

At our recent performances, many folks have asked us if we have a CD available.  We keep responding "no", but would love to respond "yes" instead!

Once this album is recorded, we'll share it locally and with new fans all around the world in CD and digital release. 

You can help make the recording process, production process, mastering, and marketing of the album a reality!

2 | Go on tour to share this music with the world - starting with a trip to Cuba to share our interpretation and homage to this music with the Cuban people. 

Bringing Conjunto Philadelphia to Cuba would allow the group to share this traditional music with the Cuban people in the place of origin of this musical tradition.

Cuban music is an integral part of the musical climate of the United States, and we would love to show the Cuban people that their culture is appreciated and loved here in the States.

The band comprises professional jazz musicians, providing a rich skill set to communicate and share musical ideas between cultures. This cultural exchange opportunity would be an amazing chance to bridge our two cultures and tear down the walls of politics - you can help us bring humans together to share music and cultural ideas.

Share in our passion and help us grow our global musical community!


MORE ABOUT THE BAND

Conjunto Philadelphia is a musical ensemble based in the Philadelphia area. The band performs music of pre-revolutionary Cuba, including the Son, Cha-Cha-Chá, and Bolero. The group's main aspiration is to pay homage to Cuba's deep and treasured musical history as well as infuse a new energy and fresh interpretation into the music. We have performed all over the Philadelphia area for the past seven years, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Longwood Gardens, Chris’ Jazz Café, World Café Live!, the Exit Zero Jazz Festival, and the Penn Museum.

All of the musicians of Conjunto Philadelphia share Jeff’s passion to interpret and bring alive the music of pre-revolutionary Cuba. They have impressive musical backgrounds and perform many other musical genres in addition to their work with Conjunto Philadelphia. The band benefits from this impressive wealth of knowledge and is able to produce culturally rich Cuban music through the dedication of each and every member of the ensemble. After all, we are paying tribute to a timeless musical tradition and without hard work, it would not be as authentic as it could be.

Thanks for your interest in our passion and efforts! If you'd like to learn more - and listen to our music! - visit our website: www.conjuntophilly.com