Greetings from Florida: Postcards from Paradise

Greetings from Florida: Postcards from Paradise is my upcoming genre-bending song-cycle album that explores the theme of Florida as a perceived “utopia,” featuring Chilean jazz vocalist and guitarist Camila Meza and an ensemble of flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, and percussion. Cuban-American poet Carolina Hospital wrote poems that serve as the lyrics for the songs.

Florida is and has been seen as a kind of utopia for many – retirees, tourists, immigrants, nature-lovers, conquistadors, and others – who have been drawn here by the promise of prosperity and beauty. But upon arrival, they are often forced to reconcile their imagined idea of Florida with the reality of the place as it actually exists. Some, in the process of trying to remake Florida in the image of their own utopia, end up risking the destruction of what makes Florida a utopia for others, including its unique natural environment and cultural heritage.

The song cycle premiered at the University of Florida in November of 2024, and was recorded soon after at Pulp Arts in Gainesville, Florida. The album is slated for release in late 2025 or early 2026. Join my mailing list to receive updates!