Overcome consists of Dave Douglas (trumpet), Ryan Keberle (trombone), Fay Victor (voice), Camila Meza (voice/guitar), Jorge Roeder (bass), and Rudy Royston (drums) in an emotional and powerful statement of human engagement towards justice: Racial justice. Climate justice. Voting justice. Gender justice.

The project began with a reimagining of the Civil Rights anthem, “We Shall Overcome,” featuring Fay Victor and Camila Meza each singing a verse before joining for a rousing final verse. As Douglas began working on the originals for the album, this unique communal vocal interplay became a key element of three more pieces: “Overcome” and “When We Are Together Again” are both inspired by the challenges of pandemic isolation; “Good Trouble” celebrates activist John Lewis. Victor takes the spotlight on “Peace” as she voices poignant poetry from Langston Hughes. And the free-spirited Royston original “Perspective” brings a nice balance to the proceedings. This is spirited communal music on a mission.