San Diego REP presents the world premiere production of “Federal Jazz Project"

 (SAN DIEGO) San Diego REP presents the world premiere production of “Federal Jazz Project,” conceived and written by Richard Montoya with original jazz score and onstage jazz band led by trumpet virtuoso Gilbert Castellanos. Directed by Sam Woodhouse, “Federal Jazz Project” is a fusion of spoken word, historical fiction, border poetry, live jazz, bi-national history, percussive tap dance and original song, also including performances from sit-in musicians. ” conceived and written by Richard Montoya with original jazz score and onstage jazz band led by trumpet virtuoso Gilbert Castellanos. Directed by Sam Woodhouse, “Federal Jazz Project” is a fusion of spoken word, historical fiction, border poetry, live jazz, bi-national history, percussive tap dance and original song, also including performances from sit-in musicians.

“Federal Jazz Project” was conceived and written by Richard Montoya, the co-founder and lead writer for Culture Clash, who is also featured in the production. For 15 years, Montoya has regularly enjoyed trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos’ weekly jam sessions held in various downtown San Diego warehouses and clubs. These sessions featured Castellanos’ first class “house band” and included musicians from across the western United States and Mexico. In 2011, San Diego REP and its Artistic Director Sam Woodhouse supported the vision of Montoya as a playwright and commissioned him and Castellanos to create a full-length work that is bilingual, multi-national and multi-disciplinary – what has now become “Federal Jazz Project.”