Grammy Winning "American Dreamers" Reviews
Updated: Feb 12, 2019
John Daversa / AMERICAN DREAMERS: Voices of Hope, Music of Freedom
LISTEN/DOWNLOAD American Dreamers: https://song.link/album/us/i/1432000642
November 15, 2018
JazzQuad by Leonid Auskern
“The album American Dreamers: Voices of Hope, Music of Freedom remains as the most interesting and emotional document of its time.”
http://jazzquad.ru/index.pl?act=PRODUCT&id=5101
November 11, 2018
JW Vibe by Jonathan Widran (Live Review)
“As a mix of message and entertainment, this show will be a hard one to surpass…”
November 5, 2018
Musical Memoirs by Dee Dee McNeil
“This entire album is a well-produced musical tribute to Dreamers and their journey from oppression, in search of a better life by coming to the shores of America to assimilate and add their worthy talents and international energy to our country… This music is excitingly arranged and the young people come from all over the United States to play out their passion for music, for freedom, for co-existence, and to exemplify pride in being a part of our country. Their voices sing in unison, “Living in America” spaced strategically in between the jazzy big band arrangements of John Daversa.”
https://musicalmemoirs.wordpress.com/
October 23, 2018
Indie Voice by Robert Leggett
“Taken from a myriad of sources, including movies, Broadway and our own patriotism, these songs are uplifting and breathtaking. Take the time to put this one on repeat and learn about the real lives affected by this program and the reasons why it is so important to honor Obama’s commitment to their future…Definitely get this one.”
October 18, 2018
The Vinyl Anachronist by Marc Phillips
“The skill and cohesiveness of these arrangements brings the cause to another level, one that should garner significant attention once the word gets out….Musically, Daversa's band is willing to take all kinds of crazy risks. It's wonderful and exciting and like nothing you've heard.”
https://thevinylanachronist.blogspot.com/2018/10/john-daversa-big-bands-american.html
October 17, 2018
JW Vibe by Jonathan Widran
“An inspired, majestic and visionary project celebrating the true spirit and ideal of America during a politically embattled time, American Dreamers: Voices of Hope and Freedom shows us that veteran big band leader and multi-Grammy nominee John Daversa is as big a musical dreamer as the real life “Dreamers” he celebrates.”
October 16, 2018
Texarkana Gazette
October 15, 2018
Associated Press by Pablo Gorondi
“’American Dreamers’ is a political album but also a collection of outstanding tracks that target both your senses and your conscience… The 53 “Dreamers” on the album come from 17 states and 17 countries of origin but they share the same desire: to be recognized as Americans. Listening to this album, you’d have to have a tin ear to not appreciate their abilities and a cold heart to not recognize their aspirations.”
https://apnews.com/81d1be26d9b444538a10d4a7456232ec
Washington Post
Roanoke Times
https://www.roanoke.com/print_only/cd-reviews/article_e870a61a-a984-5868-b696-5ed67c699e17.html
October 15, 2018
Billboard by Leila Cobo
October 5, 2018
Hits Daily Double
http://hitsdailydouble.com/news&id=313679&title=AMERICAN-DREAMERS--MAKE-SOME-JOYOUS-NOISE
October 4, 2018
Jazz Notes by Ken Franckling
“Unusual and stunning… a balm of sorts amid the challenges and rage going on across the US about immigration.”
http://kenfrancklingjazznotes.blogspot.com/
October 4, 2018
JazzBluesNews.Space
September 28, 2018
Variety
https://variety.com/2018/music/news/american-dreamers-album-daca-1202961365/
September 28, 2018
Glide Magazine by Jim Hynes
“The dichotomy of the touching stories and the enthusiastic musical pieces is startling and in its own way invigorating. This is one of, if not the most, important musical statements across several genres this year aimed at bringing unity and healing divisiveness.”
September 23, 2018
Jazz Music Archives by John Sanders ****1/2 (the highest rating I’ve ever seen him give)
“The music on its own would make “American Dreamers” one of the best modern big band albums of this year, but when you add in the importance of the message being presented here, you have a jazz record that has transcended mere art and become a powerful social statement that will hopefully help people understand what is truly going on here.”
September 22, 2018
Midwest Record by Chris Spector
“There’s nothing standard about this set from creative whiz Daversa backing up DACA related singers… One of those jazz sets that does well by doing good, it’s an ear opener and mind opener when voices are put to anonymous faces on the news…. Stirring stuff throughout.”
http://midwestrecord.com/MWR1424.html
JOHN DAVERSA BIG BAND/American Dreamers: There’s nothing standard about this set from creative whiz Daversa backing up DACA related singers, even when standards are put under the microscope. One of those jazz sets that does well by doing good, it’s an ear opener and mind opener when voices are put to anonymous faces on the news. Now if we could just do something about them calling the Woody Guthrie classic “Deportees” a lesser known song… String, stirring stuff throughout.