Antonio García brings his New Orleans roots into a multifaceted career as a composer, trombonist and jazz educator. Through his tenure at Virginia Commonwealth University, he came to know Orpheus cellist James Wilson, who also leads a festival in Virginia. Their encounter led to this commission of a concert piece that stretches the Orpheus repertoire toward the spirit New Orleans, that American capital of creolization.  

© 2023 Aaron Grad

Orpheus Insight 

Antonio García, composer 

I composed Homecoming a year after my return to my native New Orleans to reunite with our family here, having lived away for 35 years—hence the title and the dedication of the piece to my family. Road Home represents the warm, welcoming feeling with which Louisianians greet you. I created a Cajun waltz to open the piece, since nothing says “come onto our porch and enjoy some food and drink with us” more than this style of music. The Reckoning captures the joys and challenges of establishing a new home, in the form of a blues permeated by the musical traditions of enslaved Africans. While nearly everyone has heard of the French Quarter, fewer are aware of the “Latin tinge” established in past centuries by both Spanish colonization and Cuban immigrants. The Latin Quarter captures the thrill and delight of these musical influences in a Cuban son montuno, ending with a bare, reflective “cha-cha” setting perhaps resulting from a bit too much partying—and the need to find one’s way home. Guardians refers to all NOLA residents, who are fiercely protective of all things N’Awlins, whether the apt reputation of our food, drink, architecture, music, Mardi Gras Indians, and ethnic cultures, or bragging rights to the biggest bugs, largest potholes, or highest humidity on a given day.