Pablo Batista's "El Viaje" (The Journey)

On June 25 and 26, 2016 international percussion master, Temple Alum (’86) and Philadelphia resident Pablo Batista will present the world premiere performances of El Viaje (The Journey), his extended work in music and dance. WURD and The Next Majority are proud to be among this amazing production’s media and community partners!

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Generously supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage and co-sponsored by Boyer College of Music and Dance and Taller Puertorriqueno, El Viaje (The Journey) tells the story of forced emigration from Africa to the Americas, and how spiritual and cultural resilience ultimately enabled slaves to adapt and re-establish themselves with dignity in diaspora.
The performances feature 16 musicians, 6 dancers, spoken word and multi-media imagery.
Created in collaboration with co-writer/arrangers Dennis Guevara and Victor Pablo, and Cuban choreographer Gilset Mora, El Viaje combines sacred Afro-Caribbean bata drumming, chant and traditional dance with elements from European classical music, jazz and blues, R & B, funk and salsa. It reflects the journey of captive African cultures as they were blended and transformed over five centuries.
Musically, the work also reflects Pablo Batista’s 30 years of touring, recording and performing on Grammy-winning releases in jazz, rhythm and blues and gospel.
We’ll see you there – and in the meantime, please enjoy these samples and reviews of Pablo Batista’s incredible work:
Trailer for “El VIaje/The Journey”:

Pablo Batista’s El Viaje (The Journey) from Jill Frechie on Vimeo.

Reviews:
Al DÍA – “Pablo Batista Brings El Viaje to Temple Performing Arts Center”
WXPN/The Key – “Pablo Batista will premiere his epic El Viaje at the Temple Performing Arts Center”

Audio Samples:
“Cerraron La Factoria” – Ancestral Call/The Messenger


“El Callejon De Los Rumberos (Bata Rumba-Elegua)” – Ancestral Call/The Messenger

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