FREEDOM FIRST: THE ALBUM
Video by Anemoia Projects
FREEDOM FIRST: THE ALBUM
by Keith LaMar and Albert Marques
LISTEN ON ALL MAJOR STREAMING PLATFORMS
LYRICS: ENGLISH | SPANISH | CATALAN
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