friends whose deep roots intertwine through decades of the rich history of jazz and improvised music in Chicago came together again to bear witness.   And through that union, they began as a community to process the sense of loss, and the isolation that had devastated so many lives.  That searing mix of bright sunlight and profound darkness dominated the room as the band hit their first downbeat that night.  And these masterful improvisers delved deep into that ineffable energy through pure sound in a way that words never could.

The weight of that evening comes to the fore on the very first track – Survivors.  The title is taken from Ra’s spoken dedication during this short solo mbira piece, “This is for all the survivors.”  (You can faintly hear an audience member