La Locomtora Negra, a jazz orchestra formed in 1971, brings us a completely new musical project, in terms of both the group’s evolution as well as our own experience of music.

The group premiers a jazz cantata for orchestra, choir and soloists, composed by the director, Ricard Gili, and based on the poetic texts of Salvador Espriu.

Of course, different artists have set this great Catalan poet to music, from recognised composers such as Manel Valls ("Cançons de la roda del temps") to popular singer-songwriters such as Raimon. But, this is the first time that Espriu’s poetry has been set to the rhythm of jazz, in a work of the proportions and characteristics represented by the cantata, He mirat aquesta terra.

Some of the poems featured in this work, (He mirat aquesta terra, El meu poble y jo), had already been set to music previously by singer songwriters like Raimon. From a musical point of view, however, the compositions by Ricard Gili differ greatly from these important precedents.  The work must also be understood as a whole. The choice and order of poems, as well as the recited poems inserted in between the poems set to music, acquire a global significance that comes to represent the synthesis of Salvador Epriu’s civic poetry. In its totality, it is the most original and ambitious project ever undertaken by La Locomotora Negra. 

Artistic performers and groups that form part of the project

Orchestra: La Locomotora Negra (18 members)

Choir: Coral Sant Jordi (40 members). One of the oldest and most prestigious choirs in existence in Catalonia, founded by the unforgettable Oriol Martorell.

It has collaborated with La Locomotora Negra at the Memorial Duke Ellington concert performed at the Festival Internacional de Barcelona 1999 and at other places in Catalonia between 1999 and 2001. Public recording of the concert released by TVC Disc- Plusmusic CD - 1023.03

Soprano: Paula Nogueira. This Mexican singer is a disciple of Carmen Bustamante, who has received a range of awards in international competitions.

Tenor: Oli Silva. This singer from Guinea-Bissau has been a resident in Catalonia for many years. He collaborated with La Locomotora Negra in the concert De l’ África a América (2002) and in the concert Count Basie 100 Años del Festival Internacional de Jazz de Barcelona 2004.

Actress: Carme Sansa. This Catalan actress has a long and prestigious career, and has contributed to the Catalan music scene for over forty years. On three occasions she has received the Crítica Teatral award de Barcelona and the Sebastià Gasch award (1978), in addition to other awards, for her contribution to the Catalan Music Hall. In 2004, she was awarded the Cruz de Sant Jordi.