The Crisis Knows No Borders
(2025)
The music of this album is inspired by global warming and its far-reaching socio-political implications, which transcend borders and manifest in tragic humanitarian crises such as armed conflicts, poverty, famine, climate disasters, and immigration. While my previous projects delved into the history of colonialism and immigration, I now aim to confront the existential threat posed to our civilization by addressing this pressing issue, and the repercussions it has on our society and our humanity. My hope is to send a message of unity and empathy in these trying times, through music that makes the crisis and its urgency palpable, and a message that humbles us and finds our destinies intertwined in this world and on the path forward.
“Drummer Gustavo Cortiñas tackles a catastrophe beyond borders: Climate change”
“this album grabs the ears and demands attention…impactful music, marked with all the sorrow, strife, confusion, anger and bits of joy that go into the confounding mix of emotions Cortiñas feels at this moment in history…great storytelling without saying a word.”
“With THE CRISIS KNOWS NO BORDERS, the message is clear, but it’s the dynamic, raw, and full-of-life music that grabs you first. Cortiñas doesn’t just write music—he builds bold, urgent conversations into his compositions. It’s an ambitious album with deep grooves, rich textures, and a clear message: we’re all connected, and we all have a role to play.”
“His music has a timeless feel, and borderless, placeless presence, and I mean that in the ideal sense of those phrases. It is quite simply exquisite and powerful music”.
SideBar BlueStemJazz
“Gustavo Cortiñas’ work is profound and invigorating. Faithful to his rigorous conceptual approach, he wields music as a tool for awareness…An indispensable album, if ever there was one”.
“Un grito desde la música contra el cambio climático. Música, imagen y narrativa de aúnan a un llamado urgente”
“the album is a deep dive into the tension between progress and sustainability…a distinct and expressive voice…With The Crisis Knows No Borders, he challenges listeners to reflect on our shared future, proving once again that music is not just art—it's a call to action.”
“the album discusses how climate change leads to armed conflict, poverty, hunger, and forced migration…Cortiñas does a terrific job of stating his case in the liners, and, of course, musically.”
“Another strong release from Mexican-born, Chicago-based drummer Gustavo Cortiñas…This quartet plays with attitude and purpose, but also can mine the quiet in an introspective way. Recommended.”
The Basic Economic Farsity
"Panorama Nacional" explores, through dualities and asymmetries, the symbiotic principle of our origin. Through collective memory, it delves into the sustainable use of our natural resources, essential for our Eco-Existence. It also reflects the constant confrontation of social classes in our history and the deep economic and social inequities resulting from inhumane actions. The setting is Honduras, where violence, poverty, and marginality perpetuate third-world standards in service of corporations. "A rented homeland" by a petty and bloodthirsty oligarchy and plutocracy, one of the worst in Latin America. In response, the popular, insurgent, and peaceful voice of the people always has the final say. As a mestizo Honduran interdisciplinary artist, I am happy to collaborate with this project, which attempts to weave together fundamental aspects of our shared human and collective reality.
“This project is funded in part by the Pathways To Jazz grant, a donor advised fund of the Boulder County Arts Alliance”
"Additional support from Thomas Ferrella and BlueStem Jazz"
"This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council through federal funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts"