The vastly resplendent Everglades is considered the largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S. It is home to rare and endangered species such as the manatee, American alligator, and the Florida panther. It has inspired countless works of literature and art, most notably The Everglades: River of Grass by Marjory Stoneman Douglas, who proved to be instrumental in creating an awareness of the area, and in spearheading the movement to preserve it. It also moved Grammy-nominated musician, composer, and producer Jose Elias to create the Everglades Songbook Suite (ESS).
A 2016 Artist in Residence in Everglades (AIRIE) fellow, Elias wrote the music for ESS after spending considerable time in the Everglades National Park, and ESS stands as the creative and artistic statement of his experiences there. The project, which was originally set to launch in 2020, first came to fruition on June 21, 2021 as a virtual performance film co-produced with Live Arts Miami and AIRIE for International World Music Day. The piece is a collection of compositions and soundscapes that celebrates the sights and sounds of the Florida Everglades by juxtaposing a stunning variety of acoustic instruments with field recordings.
“I’m very happy to once again have the opportunity to perform the ESS in the environment that inspired the piece in the first place,” says Elias, who is also the founder and executive director of the Miami-based non-profit organization Community Arts & Culture (CAC). “To have it coincide with the 75th anniversary of the national park is a personal and professional honor.”
Age Appropriateness: All ages
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