FREEDOM FIRST: THE ALBUM

by Keith LaMar and Albert Marques

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Cleveland-born poet, writer, and activist Keith LaMar is hard at work writing and performing new material for his first album, titled FREEDOM FIRST...from his cell at the Ohio State Penitentiary, where he has spent almost 30 years in solitary confinement on death row for a crime he didn’t commit.

Recorded in Girona, Spain and Brooklyn, NY during 2020-2022, FREEDOM FIRST is the first album in history by an artist on death row.

FREEDOM FIRST began in 2020 as a concert series with dozens of musicians on the streets of New York, playing the jazz standards that helped LaMar survive these long decades in solitary, including him speaking live by telephone between songs.

Conceived of and produced by Brooklyn-based, Catalan pianist Albert Marques, FREEDOM FIRST is a collaboration between an international group of jazz musicians playing both new compositions and standards, and LaMar, who recites poetry via phone and video from the Ohio State Penitentiary. On many tracks, LaMar performs LIVE from death row.

Keith LaMar is scheduled to be executed by the State of Ohio in November of 2023. His supporters have launched a campaign, Justice for Keith LaMar, to continue to fight for the truth to prevail and his ultimate release from prison.

All proceeds from the sale of FREEDOM FIRST will go to Justice for Keith LaMar.

Artists (in alphabetical order):

Gerald Appleman

Marc Ayza

Patricia Brennan

Milena Casado

Scott Colberg

Erin Corine

Caroline Davis

Xavier Del Castillo

Manel Fortià

Nick Hakim

Brian Jackson

Keith LaMar

Albert Marques

Roy Nathanson

Adam O'Farrill

Arturo O'Farrill

Zack O'Farrill

Samora Pinderhughes

Bam Rodriguez

Walter Stinson

Salim Washington