An eclectic blend of praise & worship, jazz, Latin, and theatrical music styles that entertains and inspires the listener.

22 MP3 Songs
CLASSICAL: Contemporary, LATIN: Latin Jazz



Details:
MUSIC WITH A MISSION

The nonprofit Health & Education Relief Organization (HERO) has launched the distribution and sale of the new CD BUTTERFLIES IN THE RAIN FOREST/MUSIC FOR MEDITATION & CELEBRATION to raise money to build clinics, schools and basic infrastructure in Haiti.

The CD showcases music and lyrics by the late Gerónimo (Dr. Gerry) Lluberas, the medical doctor and missionary whose pioneering work and humanitarian vision for Haiti inspired the creation of HERO.

"Dr. Gerry would be delighted that his compositions, including songs that reflect his deep faith in God and his love for Haiti, are generating funds to help provide hope for Haiti's most needy children," HERO president Ted Waldbart said. "This is music with a mission."

All talent and production costs for the CD were covered through in-kind or monetary donations. Proceeds from the sale of the CD will go to support HERO's projects.

Dr. Gerry's long-time musical partner Christopher Crommett, who produced and sings on the recording, described the music on the CD as "eclectic, vibrant, melodic and uplifting. It reflects Gerry's myriad musical influences and interests."

Crommett added that, "the CD encompasses various genres, from inspiring songs of Praise & Worship to beautiful Operetta & Musical Theatre numbers, from infectious Caribbean dance tunes to exciting Latin Jazz, and even funk."

The 2-part CD opens with selections from Butterflies in the Rain Forest, A Christian Musical, inspired by Dr. Gerry's missionary trips to Haiti, his daughter Cristina's fascination with butterflies, and Puccini's opera Madama Butterfly.

Butterflies tells the story of Sara Gardner, played by the acclaimed soprano J.J. Hobbs, who must choose between a glamorous international career as an opera diva or a humble yet fulfilling life as an educator on "Isla del Sol" in the Caribbean. The cast also includes Victor Robertson, Christopher Crommett, W. Rufus Massey, Jr., Julie Ann Crommett and Dr. Gloria Singleton Gaston (one of Dr. Gerry's fellow rheumatologists).

Butterflies was arranged for a Broadway-style orchestra by Gary Anderson, a Grammy Award winner, Woody Herman Band alumnus, and leading TV music composer, who is also featured on saxophone.

Forrest Buchtel, whose credits range from Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Woody Herman to Blood, Sweat and Tears, and Malo, plays trumpet and flügelhorn.

A Broadway and Alliance Theatre veteran, the pianist and arranger Michael Fauss, is a featured performer, along with other leading Atlanta-area studio musicians and several
of Dr. Gerry's musical friends.

The second part of the CD, MUSIC FOR MEDITATION & CELEBRATION, is a series of musical tributes to Dr. Gerry:
-rising opera star Victor Robertson interprets Lord, I Surrender to You;
-Cristina Lluberas is flute soloist on Meditation (which her father composed for her);
-Christopher Crommett reprises On My Knees, which he sang at Dr. Gerry's funeral;
-award-winning pianist and composer Ed Bolduc plays Plegaria en Angustia;
-the CAMINO DE FE choir of St. Ann's Catholic Church sings Camino de Fe and Aguinaldo del Cañaveral which were recorded in the sanctuary of Transfiguration Catholic Church under the baton of Rod Voss;
-Kevin Hyde on trombone and Gary Anderson on saxophone are spotlighted respectively on By the Lord's Word and A World Away.

The CD also features instrumentalists Claudio Álvarez (bass), Rick Burgess (guitar), Jeanne Carere (flute), Michael Crommett (trumpet), Luis Reyes (güiro) and Darren Stanley (drums and percussion).

The CD package for BUTTERFLIES IN THE RAIN FOREST/MUSIC FOR MEDITATION & CELEBRATION includes a 16-page full-color booklet with original artwork and photos, complete lyrics and credits, a Butterflies synopsis, and information about Dr. Gerry, the artists and HERO. The cover art is by the graphic artist Edna Acosta, a cousin of Dr. Gerry, and the booklet includes additional illustrations by Dr. Gerry himself.

For more information about HERO, please contact Ted Waldbart, President, P.O. Box 670804 Marietta, GA 30066, (678) 494-5595 or HERO@herononprofit.org.

For more information about the CD, please contact Christopher Crommett,(770) 650-7738 or chris.crommett@CNN.com.

The Health & Education Relief Organization is a Georgia-based 501c(3)nonprofit and non-government charitable organization. Donations are tax-deductible.

Visit: www.herononprofit.org