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When Colombian-born percussionist-composer and New York area resident Samuel Torres was awarded a New Jazz Works Grant by Chamber Music America in 2012, he knew he wanted to create something important, something that would resonate with a depth of meaning that went beyond notes on the page. As he explained, "I wanted it to have a special theme, not just music that I enjoy but something with a social element, which is something I have never done before." What Torres came up with is a profoundly deep 10-movement suite of music that addresses a tragic issue occurring in his beloved native country. "I decided to write a piece dedicated to the victims of violence in Colombia caused by the ongoing conflict between guerrillas, paramilitary groups, and the national army, especially the Afro-Colombian community that is usually in the most afflicted areas of violence in the country." Inspired by a visit to rural San Juan de Urabá , and particularly his encounter with Afro-Colombian folkloric master Emilsen Pacheco, Forced Displacement is a stirring paean to his fellow countrymen. A powerful suite based on bullerengue, a traditional Colombia form of music whose roots can be traced back to Africa in the call-and-response refrains that are the essence of this mesmerizing music, Forced Displacement boasts an all-star ensemble of eight top-notch musicians now living in New York -- Venezuelan pianist Luis Perdomo, Cuban saxophonist Yosvany Terry, Colombian percussionist Jonathan Gómez, trumpeter Michael Rodriguez, trombonist Marshall Gilkes, bassist Ricky Rodriguez and drummer Obed Calvaire. For this career-defining work, Torres draws on his classical training and mixes in jazz harmonies and improvisation while retaining the folkloric foundation for a stimulating and thought-provoking statement. "Of course, this is a very strong subject," says Torres. "Most people are afraid to talk about it, because they are scared about the repercussions."

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