The mysteries of pop culture! Was it the unusual record cover? Or the Canadian cult-label constellation? In any case, in summer 2011, saxophonist, singer and performer Matana Roberts from Chicago succeeded in creating a piece of art similar to what Kamasi Washington did with a different approach last year. “Coin Coin Chapter One: Gens de couleur libres”, politically reflected avant-garde jazz, was featured in newspapers and pop gazettes. Starting from francophone 18th century Louisiana, Roberts´ multimedia and innovative long-term project encompasses an oral history of identity, race class and gender in twelve parts. Roberts herself describes her project as a “panoramic soundquilting”, full of references to the history of slavery, civil rights campaign and jazz. After she recorded and performed the first two parts, she is now performing a charismatic solo for the third part in which she speaks, sings and plays the saxophone, and is supported by field recordings.
