Humanitics

The No Tears Project, a dynamic ensemble blending disparate genres of jazz, spoken word, and dance, proudly unveils their newest album, Humanitics, releasing February 25, 2025, on Mahakala Music. Spearheaded by pianist Christopher Parker and vocalist Kelley Hurt, Humanitics captures the essence of human resilience, justice, and the shared pursuit of equality through eight evocative tracks.

At the heart of the album are five new compositions by legendary composer Oliver Lake (World Saxophone Quartet; Black Artist Group), inspired by his poems addressing the tragic stories of Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and Amadou Diallo. Lake’s distinctive voice shines not only in the music but also on the album cover, which features his powerful painting, Homeboy Kente.

Other highlights include a reimagined version of Donald Brown’s poignant A Poem for Martin, arranged in collaboration with trumpeter Marc Franklin, and saxophonist Bobby LaVell’s defiant anthem, My Spirit Is Stronger Than Your Persecution. The album closes with Who Is Sam Blow?, a vivid, longform poem by guest poet/author Treasure Shields Redmond that pays homage to Dred and Harriet Scott’s fight for freedom, set to a gripping, improvised groove.

As Parker explains, “This music honors our heroes and history while celebrating shared humanity. It’s not about politics—it’s about humanitics. These songs belong to everyone, and we hope they inspire listeners as they’ve inspired us.”

With standout performances by No Tears Project’s stellar lineup—including Kelley Hurt (vocals/spoken word), Christopher Parker (piano), Marc Franklin (trumpet and flugelhorn), Bobby LaVell (tenor sax), Chad Fowler (alto sax), Rodney Jordan (bass), and Darrian Douglas (drums)—alongside guest contributions from Treasure Shields Redmond, Ashley Tate (vocal effects), Michael Scott (bass clarinet and baritone sax), and Matt Dickson (soprano and tenor saxes), Humanitics delivers a soundscape as rich in emotion as it is in artistry.