Victor Jara was a Chilean singer-songwriter, a leading figure in the New Chilean Song movement. He used his music and his public persona to fight for the cause of freedom in his country from the forces of fascism. In September 1973 those fascist forces, backed by the US government, took control of the country, torturing and killing many thousands of people in the process. One of them was Victor Jara.

Visit the Victor Jara Foundation for more on Victor's life and legacy.

At the beginning of 2009, I worked on a series of interlinked compositions dedicated to the message of Victor Jara’s life. These compositions frame improvisations around the lyrics from some of Victor’s most influential and powerful songs.

Programme:
Manifiesto (Narrator & Piano)
Victor Jara of Chile (composed Tromans)

Cuando Voy al Trabajo (Narrator & Bass)
On My Way to Work (composed Tromans)

Vientos del Pueblo (Narrator & Drums)
Winds of the People (composed Tromans)

Canto Libre (Narrator & Trumpet)
Free Song (composed Tromans)

The Coup: 9-11-73 (Collective Improvisation)
Allende: History Belongs to Us (composed Tromans)

La Plegaria a un Labrador (Narrator & Piano)
Prayer to a Labourer (composed Tromans)

Estadio Chile (Narrator & Band)
El Derecho de Vivir en Paz* (composed Jara)
*The Right to Live in Peace