LIVE from Death Row: The Album
Live from Death Row is the inspirational title of political prisoner Mumia Abu Jamal’s 1995 memoir. Its use for the naming of this album was granted with his expressed blessing:
What’s up, Bomani?
How you holdin’ up, soldier?
I heard about your new project! Kudos, dude! A
jazz album!
That’s straight ahead, man!
I’m honored, brotha; just make sure it’s good
jazz, man! Just make a reference, hear?
In the spirit of Staughton [Lynd], let it be so!
Love & Power,
(and Liberation!) 11/11/23
Keith & Albert's Thanks
I love it when a plan comes together, when the stars align to bring to fruition a dream that didn't seem possible. That's what this LIVE album is: an impossible dream. That music is the vehicle through which I've been able to resurrect my bid for freedom is a miracle, something that I can never, ever take for granted. I mean, what a blessing it all has been.
After a long time, and many concerts, I was finally able to embrace the idea that I'm actually a musician, a fact that I believe rings loud and clear on this LIVE offering. Yes, it was very intimidating, at first, to perform with so many accomplished individuals, but practice made perfect the cadence and timing that you'll hear here, and it's all part of a wonderful unfolding of the most urgent joy.
My thanks to all the musicians—Albert Marquès, Zack O'Farrill, Caroline Davis, Roy Nathanson, Milena Casado, Matthew Garrison, Nia Drummond, Elsa Nilsson, and Keyanna Hutchinson—who graced this project with the most sincere depth and understanding. As far as any of us knew at the time, this could have been our last opportunity to be together, and you can hear the heart and soul in every extended solo. My execution had been looming (16 November 2023) and, if nothing else, we each wanted to scream our collective anger and angst into the void, to say with words and sound that which can never be contained:
LOVE IS THE ONLY FREEDOM!
And so it remains, a moment captured in the groove of an amazing night, a memory that will forever retrieve the light from an approaching darkness.
With love and love and love from
PS–I want to especially thank Amy Gordiejew for all her hard work and effort. She is (has been) an essential element in the carrying forth this fight to regain my freedom, to whom I owe many thanks and infinite gratitude. My love to you.
When we started Freedom First in 2020, we could have never imagined winning awards or touring around the world for packed audiences. Everything we have accomplished is incredible, and I am extremely thankful to everyone who has joined this movement. I feel so grateful to be on this journey together with Keith and Amy. At the same time, the truth is that we still have not accomplished our main goal: to stop Keith’s execution (AGAIN!) and free him from death row and prison. We will not stop fighting until Keith is liberated.
Abolish the death penalty! Free Keith LaMar!!
Order Your Copy of The Album
• Double CD w/ 12-Page Booklet: $30 Donation
• Double Vinyl: $50 Donation
Order Your Copy of LIVE from Death Row Here!
NOTE: S/H will be calculated and added based on your location. All donations benefit our efforts to bring Keith home through the campaign for Justice for Keith LaMar.
The Songs
Woke Up This Morning
(With My Mind Stayed On Freedom)
Music & Lyrics by Reverend Robert Wesby
Featuring:
Nia Drummond – voice
The Journey
Lyrics by Keith LaMar
Music by Albert Marquès
Featuring:
Keith LaMar – spoken word
Elsa Nilsson – flute
Milena Casado – trumpet
Caroline Davis – alto saxophone
Albert Marquès – piano
Matthew Garrison – electric bass
Zack O’Farrill – drums
Calling All Souls
Lyrics by Keith LaMar
Music by Albert Marquès
Featuring:
Keith LaMar – spoken word
Caroline Davis – alto saxophone
Albert Marquès – piano
Matthew Garrison – electric bass
Zack O’Farrill – drums
Alabama
Music by John Coltrane
Featuring:
Roy Nathanson – baritone saxophone
Albert Marquès – piano
Matthew Garrison – electric bass
Zack O’Farrill – drums
Transformation
Music & Lyrics by Samora Pinderhughes
Featuring:
Nia Drummond – voice
Roy Nathanson – saxophone
Albert Marquès – piano
Matthew Garrison – electric bass
Zack O’Farrill – drums
Tell ‘Em The Truth
Lyrics by Keith LaMar
Music by Albert Marquès
Featuring:
Keith LaMar – spoken word
Milena Casado – trumpet
Caroline Davis – alto saxophone
Albert Marquès – piano
Matthew Garrison – electric bass
Zack O’Farrill – drums
Intro to Strange Fruit
Featuring:
Keith LaMar – spoken word
Albert Marquès – piano
Strange Fruit
Poem and Music by Abel Meeropol
Featuring:
Nia Drummond – voice
Albert Marquès – piano
On Living
Poem by Nazim Hikmet
Music by Albert Marquès
Featuring:
Keith LaMar – spoken word (pre-recorded)
Milena Casado – flugelhorn
Caroline Davis – alto saxophone
Albert Marquès – piano
Matthew Garrison – electric bass
Zack O’Farrill – drums
Acknowledgement
Music by John Coltrane
Featuring:
Keith LaMar – spoken word
Caroline Davis – alto saxophone
Albert Marquès – piano
Matthew Garrison – electric bass
Zack O’Farrill – drums
The Drowned and The Saved
Lyrics by Keith LaMar
Music by Arturo O’Farrill
Featuring:
Keith LaMar – spoken word
Albert Marquès – piano/arrangement
Truth
Lyrics by Keith LaMar
Music by Kamasi Washington
Featuring:
Keith LaMar – spoken word
Elsa Nilsson – flute
Milena Casado – flugelhorn
Caroline Davis – alto saxophone
Roy Nathanson – bari saxophone
Keyanna Hutchinson – guitar
Albert Marquès – piano
Matthew Garrison – electric bass
Zack O’Farrill – drums
Credits
Lyrics © 2025 Keith LaMar (Read the Lyrics)
Music © 2025 Freedom First Music (Ampl!fy Voices)
With Heartfelt Gratitude
David Roush and Beth Narducci at Records Man, Records (New York), Pablo Tudela and Angel Sorroche at Say It Loud Records (Europe), Sarah Saul and Hugo Dwyer for your faith, generous support, time, and talent to make this project happen; Fortuna Sung and Matthew Garrison at ShapeShifter Lab for use of your beautiful space; and so many dear friends and family, both near and far, for all your care and energy... We love and appreciate you!
Executive Produced by Records Man, Records in collaboration with Justice for Keith LaMar
Album Produced, Mixed & Mastered by Hugo Dwyer
Concert Producers: Albert Marquès & Amy Gordiejew
Recorded by Miles Bentley at ShapeShifter Lab on September 10, 2023
Keith’s Liaison: Ken Wright–Keith’s childhood friend
Guest Speaker: Bruce Bryan–wrongfully convicted and released after 29 years!
Photography by Adrian Childress
CD Design by Amy Gordiejew
Cover Art by Keith LaMar
