Taking a multitude of life experiences, Asia Fajardo-Wright chronicles her journey in her new CD, Omechihuatl Rising.
Somewhere between post-bop, Latin jazz, free jazz and the continuation of the Denver Chicano Movement from the 60’s is Denver native Asia Fajardo-Wright. The 26-year-old Latina composer/saxophonist and Aztec dancer, composed and directed an avant-garde tribute to the divine feminine Omecihuatl Rising which debuts on Oct. 2, 6pm (tix $8) at the D-Note, 7519 Grandview Ave, Arvada and on Oct. 21, 7pm (tix $10) at the Aurora Fox Theater, 9900 E. Colfax Aurora. Tickets available at https://colorado-folk-arts-council.ticketleap.net.
Asia grew up consuming savory bowls of frijoles y chile on her great-great aunt’s porch in Denver’s west side, also known as the Baker neighborhood. Throughout her youth, she attended Aztec dance ceremonies at the Denver Inner City Parish, and has been fortunate to have the ear of veteran artists; experiencing philosophical conversations with Denver’s world-renowned flamenco guitarist Miguel Espinoza, Chicano metaphysical painter Stevon Lucero, and African drum master Bob Hall.
In high school she studied with Denver piano jazz legend Ted Alexander. Her family has been in Denver for the past seventy years. Prior to her family’s arrival in Denver, Asia’s family worked the coal mines in Trinidad, and were ranchers in the San Luis Valley. Originally, her family stemmed from the Picuris Pueblo in Nuevo México.
The jazz musician is rooted in her Indigenous heritage, and Omecihuatl Rising, is a reflection of her Indigenous upbringing. The word Omecihuatl, is the Aztec/Mexica name for the devine feminine energy -- which is neither male or female.
Asia’s purpose is to create dialogue about the devine feminine and womanhood, initiated through a contemporary Indigenous view-point. One of her pieces is a tribute to the Mexican historical figure La Malinche, and uses her controversial image to speak about modern issues of sexism, racism, and classism. Asia
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