‘you are born a miracle

you’re still here a miracle’

‘NOT FREE’ Music Video

'How can I be free, if you are not free?'

Inspired by the documentary ‘13th’ and recent Uprising in the protests of Portland, OR.

Filming, Direction & Editing by Kenn Ayiah Portland (Accra Ghana) Filming by Dustin Tolman (Portland)

What started as a conversation about the universal language of music transformed into a focused 2 year journey, incorporating 50+ artists across multiple continents. Based in Portland, OR and touring internationally, flugelhorn & trumpet player Max Ribner has assembled an all-star cast of players who create the thematic storytelling entitled 1st Language.

This 11 song album features artists such as:

Bobby Sparks II - Keys (Roy Hargrove, Snarky Puppy)
Jarrod Lawson - Vocals, Keys
Mark Lettieri - Guitar (Snarky Puppy)
Saeeda Wright - Vocals (Prince)
Sharay Reed - Bass (Chaka Kahn, Kirk Franklin)

Starting from simple melodic mantras, 1st Language flows with the complexity brought by a full rhythm section, a 10 piece horn section, a 12 piece string section, an 8 person gospel choir and a 10 piece dance troupe from Ghana, Africa & Portland, OR. Max Ribner brings his unique voice and vision, drawing on the spontaneity of jazz, the arranging and orchestration of modern classical, and the reverence of universal spiritual music. After a year and a half of writing, arranging and tracking the album, the project caught the ear of Grammy winning mix engineer Ben Kane (D’angelo, PJ Morton, Emily King).

Completed in late 2020, amidst the din of COVID-19, national elections and an ongoing movement for equity and inclusion, 1st Language is a sonic calling together of our collective humanity.

CREDITS

Max Ribner - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Keys, Vocals
Bobby Ray Sparks II — Rhodes, Organ, Piano, Clav, Moog, Arp
(1,2,3,5,7,8,10,11)
Sharay Reed — Bass (1,5,7,10,11)
Mark Lettieri — Guitar (1,2,5,10,11)
Jarrod Lawson — Vocals, Rhodes, Synth (1,6)
Steve Watkins — Rhodes, Synth, Guitar (3,9)
Chaun Horton — Drums (1,2,10)
Saeeda Wright — Vocals - (1,2,5,10)
Alonzo Chadwick — Vocals (1,2,5,10)
Ron Artis II — Vocals (5)
Elijah Ray — Guitar, Bass (1,2,11)
Jans Ingber — AUX Percussion (1,2,4,5,6,10,11)
Brian Foxworth — Drums (5,6,11)
Richard Lawrence — Drums (3)
Joshua “Jams” Marotta — Drums (4)
Tim Ribner — Piano (1,6,10)
Michael Elson — Rhodes (5,6)
Marquay Seamster — Bass (3,9)
Garrett Sayers — Bass (6)
Samuel Eisen-meyers — Guitar (1)
Lamont Williams — Vocals (5,10)
Emmanuel Henreid — Vocals (5,10)
Lashell Harris — Vocals (1,5,10)
Arietta Ward — Vocals (5,10)
Jon Ramm — Trombone (4,5,6,10)
Edward ’JUICY’ Jackson — Trombone (4,5,10)
Eric Gordon — Trumpet (4,5,10)
Devin Phillips — Soprano Sax (4)
Javan Carter — Tuba (4,5,10)
Charlie Porter — Trumpet (6,10)
Jon Moke — Trombone (6,10)
TJ Schaper — Trombone (1)
Kelley Elliott — French Horn (6)
Kurt Heichelheim— French Horn (6)
Tim Snider - Violins, Violas (1,2)
Christopher Fotinakis — Violin (1,6,10)
Marian Gutierrez — Violin (1,6,10)
Mitchell Drury — Violin (1,6,10)
Elisa Rega — Violin (1,6,10)
Amanda Lawrence — Viola (1,6,10)
Tricia Bogdan — Viola (1,6,10)
Timothée Berte-Renou— Cello (1,6,10)
Amelia Hunnicutt — Cello (1,6,10)
Sara Barbee — Upright Bass (1,6,10)
Joe Kye — Conducting (1,6,10)
Doug Good Feather — Spoken (9)
Katherine Allen — Spoken (4)

Produced by Max Ribner & Jans Ingber
Mixed by Ben Kane — Electric Garden, Brooklyn, NY
Mastered by Will Quinell — Sterling Sound, Edgewater, NJ
Artwork by Rudy Gutierrez

Engineered by:
Aaron Olsen @ Crossroads Productions, Portland, OR
Rick Nelson & Paul McDonald @ Marigny Studios, New Orleans
Raymond Richards @ Long Play Recording, Portland, OR