As the United States marks its 250th year, I wanted to record and album that reflects the full range of American musical voices—not as a single narrative, but as a collection of distinct and interconnected stories. This project brings together 28 short works spanning more than two centuries and multiple traditions, including classical, jazz-influenced, and experimental styles. I’ve intentionally chosen pieces by composers who have been historically underrepresented in traditional repertoire, as well as works that have been overlooked—even when the composer’s name may be familiar.
At its core, this project is about lifting up the musical voices that make me proud of what America can be.
This project is also deeply personal. As the country turns 250, I turn 50. This project reflects my own journey as an artist. In recent years, I’ve found a clearer sense of purpose in uplifting underrepresented composers, while also discovering my own voice as a composer. This project brings those two paths together as I share a mosaic of music that excites me and contribute a piece of my own to the story.
I’ll be in the studio this spring and summer recording the album, with a planned release date of September 30. Stay tuned for updates – including the album title, original artwork, and teaser audio and video clips!
I’ve also launched a Kickstarter campaign to support the expansion of the project beyond just an album into performance films and a companion educational platform. My goal is to create something that extends beyond the album: a resource for pianists, teachers, and listeners that invites exploration into lesser-known repertoire and expands how we engage with it.
If you’d like to contribute, click here to learn more!
Kim Davenport 