discover
‘from the earth’
This short film takes you behind the scenes to explore the concept and creation of From the Earth
Composed, arranged and sung by Andromeda Turre
From the Earth Moves beyond standards, honoring the tradition of jazz greats like Max Roach, Gil Scott-Heron, and Abbey Lincoln—using jazz as a powerful medium to address critical issues.
about
From the Earth is a programmatic jazz suite by Andromeda Turre that highlights environmental justice and humanity’s profound interconnectedness with the planet. The work addresses contemporary environmental challenges through collaborators from four marginalized communities coping with the interrelated effects of climate change and systems such as redlining and colonization. Each community is represented by a thematically distinct concerto—Earth, Sky, Sea, and Ice. Although these segments do not adhere to the Baroque definition of a concerto, Turre employs the term colloquially to reflect each segment’s three-movement structure and the suite’s overall form, which draws structural parallels to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.The suite opens with “Ingression Interlude” and progresses through the four concertos, each comprising three movements: an introduction, firsthand accounts, and a reflective response. As an example, “Geosphere” immerses the listener in the earthly realm, “Grandmother’s Permission” integrates recorded interview excerpts, and “Earth Waltz” represents Turre’s reflection, shaped by both the interviews and her direct engagement with nature. Each concerto features distinctive timbres designed to evoke each biosphere. For instance, Earth resonates with warm, wooden tones—didgeridoo, marimba, and bowed acoustic bass—anchored by crystal bowls emitting grounding frequencies. Sky emanates with celestial textures via vibraphone, harp, brass, and woodwinds, creating a luminous soundscape. Sea immerses the listener in an aquatic sonosphere, integrating coastal sounds of hand percussion and brass horns characteristic of Latin music traditions as well as conch shell. Ice explores cold, metallic tones with bell tree, electric bass, EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument), and bowed vibraphone. A multigenerational choir, with vocalists aged 9 to 76, closes the suite with emotional and textural complexity, resounding with a diverse and polyphonic message of hope and unity.The suite’s sonic progression unfolds chronologically, beginning with concepts widely regarded as traditional jazz, advancing through pivotal historical evolutions of the genre, and culminating in contemporary song forms and harmonic simplifications reflective of present-day, populist interpretations of jazz.
ORIGIN STORY
The seeds of From the Earth were planted in December 2022 during Turre’s excursion to Iceland. Immersed in nature’s raw, elemental power, she experienced the aurora borealis dancing in the sky, the crash of icy sea waves, lava birthing new ground, and the marvel of standing within a melting glacier. These profound encounters revealed an intimate connection with the Earth, sparking the composition of “Cryosphere,” written from the glacier’s perspective as it confronts its own demise. This visceral connection to the Earth accompanied Turre home, inspiring her curiosity and creativity.This connection guided a year-long journey of research and interviews with individuals from marginalized North American communities directly impacted by climate change. As an artist rooted in Afrodiasporic jazz traditions, inspired by artists like Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln, Turre continues the Griot legacy of chronicling contemporary life through music and oral history. These interactions shaped From the Earth, grounding the work in lived experiences.Throughout the compositional phase, Turre’s creative process was deeply intuitive, shaped by nature, interviews and moments of otherworldly inspiration. The song “Amulena,” for example, is sung in glossolalia and was inspired by a dream where she was able to tap into intergenerational knowledge during her altered state of consciousness. Her father, trombonist Steve Turre, joins her on “Amulena,” performing on conch shell, an instrument resonant with indigenous spiritual practices as well as symbolic of the natural world.Turre crafted her score with meticulous care, incorporating intentional direction as well as musical notation. Turre arranged the suite, drawing inspiration directly from nature— such as patterns in bird songs, the low rumble of tectonic shifts, or the cascading rhythms of hailstorms, with the exception of the horn arrangements for “Sin agua no hay vida” and “Contigo” which were crafted by Steve Turre.
Andromeda crossing a glacier in Iceland, December 2022
collaborators
From the Earth showcases the talents of 14 women and 6 men. Full credits for this groundbreaking album can be found HERE, along with liner notes by NEA Jazz Master Willard Jenkins HERE.
In addition to its musical collaborators, the suite features five spoken-word contributions, seamlessly integrated to deepen and enrich the storytelling.“Ingression Interlude” features a commissioned poem written and recited by Betty Neals, created specifically for From the Earth. Developed as a guided poetry meditation, Turre’s intent was to prepare listeners for the spiritual journey unfolding throughout the suite, setting the thematic tone and mindset for the work. Ms. Neals is also Turre’s Godmother as well as the poet and lyricist who frequently collaborarted with Rahsaan Roland Kirk.Each of the four concertos—Earth, Sky, Sea, and Ice, includes an interview excerpt from a connected commiunity. All interviews in From the Earth were conducted, recorded, and edited by Andromeda Turre to provide authentic, firsthand perspectives.The first concerto (“Earth") includes the song “Grandmother’s Permission” and features an interview with Dr. Jifunza Wright-Carter of the Black Oaks Center in Pembroke Township, Illinois. Dr. Wright-Carter is a farmer, physician, and advocate living in a historically Black farming community founded by former slaves. The Sky concerto includes Ms. Margaret’s Lament, featuring Ms. Margaret Gordon of the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project. A lifelong environmental activist, Ms. Gordon has spent decades addressing the impacts of air pollution in her historically redlined community of West Oakland, California. The Sea concerto presents Sin Agua No Hay Vida, with Dr. Gladys M. Canals from Camuy, Puerto Rico. An educator dedicated to raising the next generation of environmental stewards, Dr. Canals speaks to the critical importance of preserving Puerto Rico’s waterways and fostering environmental awareness among its youth. An English translation of her spoken contribution is available HERE.In the Ice concerto, Oracle Interlude features an interview segment with Rhonda Hiscock, an environmental scientist from an indigenous community in Newfoundland, Canada. Her work focuses on developing data-driven policies and best practices to protect the fragile icy ecosystems of her homeland.
This photo, taken on the second and final day of recording the suite in Rhinebeck, NY, on January 25, 2024, showcases (L to R): Chien Chien Lu (Marimba and Vibraphone), Chelsea Baratz (Saxophone and EWI), Andromeda Turre (Creator and Vocalist), and Jacquelene Acevedo (Percussion).From the earth - trailer
ONE WEEK until From the Earth 🌍 is released! Check out the trailer to see what’s coming and hear a sneek peak of my composition “Atmosphere”.
