A MOSAIC IS MADE UP of different materials of slightly different shapes, sizes, colors. Each piece glitters and shines on its own, but taken together they create a tapestry that is new.

Jaime Lozano has made you a hell of a mosaic.

With each of the 12 moments in Songs By An Immigrant, Jaime adjusts the aperture and sheds a different light on the immigrant experience in America, his incredible musical versatility fully on display. From the opening Generic Immigrant Welcome Song, which begins with a sardonic checklist of migrant narrative tropes before breaking through to something jagged and real, to the triumphant 11:00 number Change My Name, which will be sung by aspiring Latina actresses at auditions from now until forever, to the gorgeous love song salsa finale of Hecho Para Amarte, which would be right at home on a Broadway stage or your local Latin radio station, each song is a movie unto itself. Jaime’s vivid storytelling gifts are on display in the heartbreaking Hold Tight; his prodigious gift for Latin arrangement apparent in Gettin’ Up. With this song, he’s giving you a little Rubén Blades, with that one, a ballad to make Glen Ballard weep. The album establishes Jaime as a force to be reckoned with in musical theater, in Latin music, or wherever else he wants to go.

If you’re an immigrant in the United States, you have to work ten times as hard just to reach the ground floor. There is the process of leaving your homeland, there is the journey, there is the dislocation of being in a new world, the culture shock of how that world sees you. Jaime honors that journey and breathes astonishing musical life into it on this album: he’s done ten times the work to bring you this mosaic. Enjoy.

— LIN-MANUEL MIRANDASeptember 2020

1. THE GENERIC IMMIGRANT WELCOME SONG feat. Mauricio Martínez and Antonio Sánchez

2. GETTING UP IS EASIER feat. Ana Isabelle

3. THE OTHER SIDE feat. Florencia Cuenca

4. YOU GOTTA CHANGE YOUR NAME feat. Mandy Gonzalez

5. HOLD TIGHT feat. Raul Midón

6. FAR FROM HOME feat. Gaby Moreno

7. NOTHING IS BROKEN feat. Marina Pires

8. LIKE THE RIVER (COMO EL RÍO) feat. Bobby Pulido

9. CASTLES IN THE SKY feat. Mireya Ramos

10. VENEZUELA feat. Migguel Anggelo and Jorge Glem

11. DREAMER feat. Mauricio Martínez and Alex Lacamoire

12. HECHO PARA AMARTE feat. Marcial Istúriz

THE GENERIC IMMIGRANT WELCOME SONGMusic by JAIME LOZANOLyrics by NOEMI DE LA PUENTE

Feat. MAURICIO MARTÍNEZ and ANTONIO SÁNCHEZ

Piano: Jesús Altamira; Guitars: Pavel Cal; Acoustic bass: Marcos Milagres; Requinto: Victor Murillo; Jarana: Sinuhé Padilla Isunza; Percussions: Jonathan Gómez; Drums: Antonio Sánchez; Violins: Raúl Sánchez, Ricardo Hamaury Gómez Gómez; Cello: Ana Karen Rodríguez; Tenor Saxophone: Ole Mathisen

“Huapango” is a Mexican folk music style I have always been in love with. It comes from the Náhuatl word “cuauhpanco” that means “on top of the wood,” giving reference to the wooden platform used by dancers who perform their moves on top of it; this type of dance movement is called “zapateado.” Working on this immigrant hymn with very smart lyrics by Noemi de la Puente, I wanted to really dig into a fusion of a Mexican sound with jazz, and that’s how I created this “jazzpango.” I needed a great Mexican singer, and my hermano Mauricio Martínez, one of my favorite male musical theatre performers ever and my partner in many, many projects now, was the ideal voice for this song about an immigrant who wanted to be welcomed in this new country. What makes this track even more special is that one of my dreams came true: a collaboration with my favorite drummer in the world, a Mexican artist who has been an inspiration for many of us as creators and musicians, the amazing Antonio Sánchez; and I have the honor that the first thing you are going to listen to in this album is a drum solo by this great artist introducing my version of a Mexican Huapango.

I come from a land of sorrowsThousands of miles away.And even though you don’t like me at all,That’s too bad,I’m here to stay.I am fine.I’ll find my way.

Even though everything I say comes out wrong;This is what I hear you sing,The welcome song…The old refrain of immigration pain…The “No-matter—where-you-come-from-I-hate-you—anyway-now-go-away-you-don’t-belong” song.The generic immigrant welcome song.

My children will grow up strangers.Sharing a different tongue.And even though you will fear them so much,They’ll try hard,Climb rung by rung.They’ll learn fastBecause they’re young.

Even though everything I say comes out wrong;This is what I hear you sing,This welcome song…That old refrain of immigration pain…The “No-matter—where-you-were-born-You’re-foreign—anyway-now-go-away-you-don’t-belong” song.The generic immigrant welcome song.

I mispronounce your words.I think your food is bland.And yet I am so happy,To find new life in this new land.You have the weirdest customs.But I’ll work hard to adjust.I’ll always be the foreigner,But I hope to earn your trust.

And change the “No-matter—where-you-come-from-I-hate-you—anyway-now-go-away-you-don’t-belong” song…Into a “No-matter—where-you-come-fromWe-love-you—anyway-you’re-here-to-stay-you-still-belong—” song.

My children will speak your language.They will enjoy your food.Our little ones might get married one day.It could be.Oh don’t feel screwed.They’ll be fine,And you’ll conclude…

Even though everything we say comes out wrong,What do you want them to sing? A welcome song?Very same refrain of immigration pain?A “No-matter—where-you-come-from-I-hate-you—anyway-now-go-away-you-don’t-belong” song?OrA “We-all-belong” song?You pick the song.

GETTING UP IS EASIER

Music by JAIME LOZANOLyrics by MARINA PIRES

Feat. ANA ISABELLE

Piano: Jesús Altamira; Guitars: Pavel Cal; Bass: Rudyck Vidal; Drums: Javier Garagarza; Percussions: Dayron Cartas; Trumpets: Carlos Garza; Saxophones: Arturo Ávila; Trombones: León Nava; Backup vocals: Roke MD

Salsa music has always been an important part of my day-to-day. If you could take a look at my digital music platform statistics about the music I listen to the most, salsa is number one, and you can see all of these amazing artists’ names I would love to collaborate with one day. This song tells the story of an immigrant struggling each day to make a living, but acknowledging that “getting up is easier” when you know you are not alone. We are part of this huge community of immigrant dreamers trying to make a better life, not only for ourselves but for our familia and the people coming after us. Salsa music has always sung about important issues, and these lyrics by my incredible partner Marina Pires, an immigrant herself, come to life in the voice of another incredible Latino immigrant artist, the extremely talented Ana Isabelle (¡Boricua!). She can sing literally ANYTHING, from musical theatre to pop and salsa, navigating through all these genres quite effortlessly. This is definitely a different kind of salsa—a musical theatre salsa—with an important story to tell.

To leave your homeIn search of moreBut without knowing what you’ll find.To build a lifeWithout a friendTo help you sort what’s in your mind. To hold on tightTo all you haveAnd risk not having it at all.Well freedom startsWith just one stepAnd not being afraid to fall. Getting up is easierWhen every step you takeIsn’t only for yourself but those before you.Getting up is easierWhen every cent you makeIs a little taste of earning something more.Getting up is easierWhen all you have is dreamsAnd the hope to build them up with your bare hands…At least that was the plan. To make a homeIn a new placeWhere everyone has their own map.To take up spaceAnd feel again,All the while learning to adapt. You try to findA way to bridgeThis whole new world back to your own.But there’s a lineAnd there’s a gapAt times you cannot help but feel alone. Getting up is easierWith eyes to look intoEvery morning right before you leave the house.

Getting up is easierWhen you’re focused on survivingAnd much less on what this life’s really about.Getting up is easy That’s what you tell yourselfPicking all your broken dreams up off the ground.Over and over and over and over and over and over again. And when getting up gets hardWhat happens then? You remember the “why.” And you get in the car.And you make a new friend At a church or a restaurant bar. And you smile and you pray.And you go day by day. And you try to find light.And you learn and you fight.And you see every face of your family in place of the stars.And finally get yourself to sleep at night.Cause getting up is easier.Getting up is easier. ¡Despertar, avanzarY mirar pa’ lante! Getting up is easierWhen every step you takeIsn’t only for yourself but those before you.Getting up is easierWhen every cent you makeIs a little taste of earning something more.Getting up is easierWhen all you have is dreamsAnd the hope to build them up with your bare hands… ‘CauseGetting up is easierGetting up is easier.

THE OTHER SIDE

Music by JAIME LOZANOLyrics by NEENA BEBER

Feat. FLORENCIA CUENCA

Piano: Jesús Altamira; Guitars: Billy Bivona; Bass: Marcos Milagres; Drums: Javier Garagarza; Violins: Raúl Sánchez, Marienn Sánchez Sánchez; Viola: Caleb Ahedo Zúñiga; Cello: Francisco Javier Moreno

My favorite musical theatre performer and storyteller is part of this track and of course my partner in life, my wife Florencia Cuenca. This song is a more “traditional” musical theatre ballad with lyrics by one of my favorite writers, Neena Beber, who always finds the perfect way to put together intelligence and emotion. This song is inspired by Robert Frost’s poem “Mending Walls” and talks about what is really the need of building walls, and questions who are we walling in and who are we walling out when doing so. I strongly believe that we need to build bridges instead of walls, and it is one of the main goals of this album. We are artists from all different countries, music styles, different ideas, and preferences but together as a community, as a Familia.

There’s a wall that divides us.By springtime it needs repair.Mending together,It’s work that we both can share.

There are stones that have fallen,Cracks where the light comes throughSloping and slantingAnd too much of you in view.

“Good fences make good neighbors,” we say.Like our fathers before us, it’s just what we always say.

Before you build a wall what have you tried.Who am I walling in,Who am I walling out.Why am I so afraid of the other side…Who’s on the other side.

Now my neighbor is calling:Let’s get this job done fast.Stronger an taller,This time we’ll make it last.

But I started to wonder:Clouds never play this game.Passing each morning And greeting is both the same.

“Good fences make good neighbors,” we say.And we keep on rebuilding what nature would take away.

Before you build a wall you have to ask:Who am I walling in,Who am I walling out.Why am I so afraid of the other side…Who’s on the other…

Something there is in meThat doesn’t love a wall,That wants it down.Something there is in meThat wants to be free like the clouds and the sea.

Let the earth have no end we just bendAnd we are halfway around the world.Always halfway around the world.Halfway around and this world has no end.

Before you build a wall you have to ask:Who am I walling in,Who am I walling out.Why am I so afraid of the other side…Who’s on the other side.You’re on the other side.Breaking down fences, let’s open this world up wide.

YOU GOTTA CHANGE YOUR NAME

Music by JAIME LOZANOLyrics by NOEMI DE LA PUENTE

Feat. MANDY GONZALEZ

Piano: Jesús Altamira; Guitars: Pavel Cal; Bass: Rudyck Vidal; Drums: Javier Garagarza; Percussions: Joel Mateo; Trumpets: Carlos Garza; Saxophone: Enrique Ríos; Trombone: Erika Rosas

Dedicated to Mandy Gonzalez

Last year I was reading an interview with another of my favorite musical theatre performers, Mandy Gonzalez, who I saw as Nina in In the Heights at least 30 times. That show means a lot to me in so many ways because I had the chance to meet amazing people such as Mandy, Doreen, Andréa, Janet, Luis, Eliseo, Alex Lacamoire, and many more, ah… and of course, this guy called Lin-Manuel. So in this interview Mandy talks about how her first agent asked her to change her last name. I immediately emailed my writing partner Noemi de la Puente and told her: “I have an idea for a song.” I emailed Mandy and told her: “We wrote a song for you. Would you make me the honor to record it?” And… another dream came true. Here is her rendition of her song. Please pinch me. This track is my attempt to fuse a more musical theatre pop song with my Latino signature style.

Back in the day when things were quite different There was a little girl.Wanted to sing in musicals more than Anything else in the world.So she packed up all her things And moved far away from her folks.Went to hundred of auditions, Some of them no more than jokes.

She worked her butt off, she got some callbacks, And got to finish songs.Little by little she started sensing Something was going wrong.Final callbacks but no bookings,What were the forces unseen?And her agent told her: “Honey, You gotta change your last name Cuz you’re so in between.”

“Great voice but no choice, You look sort of white so don’t be blind.Audiences mind.”So she asked every producer that she could find.And they said: “Pérez, López, González, Méndez;You all sound the same.If you want to work in this business,You gotta change your name.”

Chip on her shoulder, mulling it over,Thinking they’s disapprove…She called her parents, they were not happy—She almost lost her groove.Smith, or Abrams, maybe Jones,Or Matthews, how could she choose?Agents and her manager said:“Mandy, just make up your mind,You have nothing to lose…”

“Great voice but no choice, You look sort of white so don’t be blind.Audiences mind.”So she asked every producer that she could find.

And they said: “Pérez, López, González, Méndez;You all sound the same.If you want to work in this business,You gotta change your name.”

That was me when I just started out.Oh— in my heart I was starting to doubt.Ancestor pride,Welled up inside,Made me stay true to my soul.I’ll keep my name.I’ll pave the way.My hardest role.

Great voice and great choice,You’ll cast me cuz I am fierce. I’m not blind.No one will mind.And I’ll tell every producer that I can find.Listen up: Pérez, López, González, Méndez;It won’t be so rough.If you want to win in this business,You’ll have to learn this stuff.You’ll have to learn our names.I’ll never change my name.I’ll never change my name!

HOLD TIGHT

Music by JAIME LOZANOLyrics by MARK-EUGENE GARCIA

Feat. RAUL MIDÓN

Piano: David Cook; Guitar: Raul Midón; Accordion: Gerardo “Quirri” Padilla

Back in 2010 my dear friend and hermano Luis Salgado and I used to get together to talk about projects and share music. We were working at the time on the R.Evolución Latina album. While listening to music, we found this amazing performer called Raúl Midón, a virtuoso singer and guitarist. Since then I became a fan. Years later when I met Florencia and we talked about music and our favorite singers, Raúl Midón’s name came up in the conversation. It is a small world, and Raúl, being such an amazing person, agreed to this collaboration to sing this song, which is very different to what he usually records. With lyrics by my friend and collaborator Mark-Eugene Garcia, “Hold Tight” tells the story of an immigrant trying to cross the border as part of a migrant caravan. The music and instrumentation are very unique, and I have the honor to have also my “primo” Gerardo “Quirri” Padilla, one of the best Norteño style accordionists in Mexico. It is a perfect mix: a classic American AABA ballad with a Grammy nominee singer/guitarist (one of my favorites in the world) and a Mexican accordion.

A baby barely more than one year oldA father hold her tight within his sweater.He keeps her warm through the wind and cold,And tell his daughter that it will get better.Hold tight, we are almost there.

A nearby woman, walking as she criesThe bruises on her body still remind her.She sees the nightmare when she shuts her eyes.She hopes to God her husband never finds her.Hold tight, we are almost there.

Holding our kids in a tent,Holding our world in our hands,Holding our group in the cold.Hoping the world understandsWe walk on and on…We walk, and we walk to survive.Escaping the cage we knew thenWe walk, and yet when we arriveWe’re locked in a cage once again.

A baby barely more than one year oldA father hold her tight within his sweater.A nearby woman, crying through the cold,And we all just want a chance,We just want a chance,We just want a chance for a life,A life that is better.Hold on tight, we were almost there.Hold on tight, we were almost there.Hold on tight, hold on tight…

FAR FROM HOME

Music by JAIME LOZANOLyrics by NEENA BEBER

Feat. GABY MORENO

Piano: Jesús Altamira; Contrabass: Hernán González Rico; Drums and Percussions: Joel Mateo; Soprano Saxophone: Ole Mathisen; Backup vocals: Roke MD

This is another Latin jazz song style, using a danzón to sing about missing home and trying to find a new one in a new country. This track features beautiful lyrics by Neena Beber and a very moving interpretation by Gaby Moreno. I was literally crying when I was putting her vocals together with the music track, even before listening to any mixed track. Gaby’s soul and heart are in this track through her unique and distinctive vocals. Danzón is a musical genre/dance originally from Cuba that was very popular in México; there is even a very famous Mexican movie from the ’90s named after this dance style. The song—as is characteristic of any jazz song—includes instrumental solos by pianist Jesús Altamira (my brother and co-arranger in most of my projects) and Norwegian jazz sax player Ole Mathisen; both of them are some of my favorite musicians in the world.

There was a ribbon of stars in the sky,Lighting the way I could go.Now I’ve been far from home for too long But I made a new home.Here we are…

I keep a small souvenir, time in hand, And all the photos that fade‘Cause I’ve been far from home for too long And I dance through the night.

Looking back down the narrowing streets, dark like inkI see the spring turn to fall, when I blink.Oh have I been far from home for too long I ran forward instead.I never guessed that the world that I leaveWould not stay in one place As I raced and I raced up ahead.Every tear sheds alone,Every year calls me home,Every step that I take brings me voices from the past I knew

Calling my name, At least one word stays the same.Oh I’ve been far from home for too long And I made a new world.And I learned how to speak new words, to be free. Wore a locket to carry you, here with me.Kept an accent I’ll never lose, like the sea,To remind me of who I am.

There was a ribbon of stars in the sky Lighting the dreams we once shared.But I’ve been far from home for too long And I made a new home.And I learned how to speak new words, “mom” and “wife.” In my pocket I carry grief, like a knifeCutting places from maps I’ve drawn, a new life.Is it too late to start again.

¡Ya no se quien soy, Ya no se si soy de aquí o soy de allá!

There is a ribbon of stars in the sky Lighting this world down below.And I’m trying to find my way home When you follow the stars.You soon learn that the road divides, in between,Where you’re going and where you’ve been, all you’ve seen How I long to go back again, in my dreamsNow I’m always too far from home… Oh the light from the stars Shines from yesterday oh so far!

NOTHING IS BROKEN

Music by JAIME LOZANO & MARINA PIRESLyrics by MARINA PIRES

Feat. MARINA PIRES

Guitars: Billy Bivona; Electric piano: Roberto Verástegui; Bass: Marcos Milagres; Drums: Javier Garagarza; Percussions: Dayron Cartas; Violins: Raúl Sánchez, Marienn Sánchez Sánchez; Viola: Caleb Ahedo Zúñiga; Cello: Francisco Javier Moreno; Backup vocals: Roke MD; Programming: Demián Cantú

Dedicated to Mauricio Martínez

This song has a very special place in my heart. A couple of years ago we were going through very hard moments in our lives, as my hermano Mauricio Martínez was diagnosed with cancer for the 4th time. I texted my dear friend Marina Pires, who was with Mauricio at the time doing the On Your Feet! national tour, and asked about writing together a song for him. This song was born from that: our love letter to a friend, to a Familia member. Family stays together and supports each other in good times and bad times. And Mauricio, being the warrior he has always been, won the battle one more time.

Take your time my loveI adore you more with each setting sun.You survive everyday by passing love around.You’re alright now,It’s time to fight now.

Take your time to know When the day comes you’ll find your way back home.It’s the hands that we hold while we’re busy making plansThat hold us up child,So don’t give up now.

Though the sun seems far from where you areAnd nights seem colder now that you’re waiting,Know your skin grows stronger with scars Oh darling nothing is broken, Oh nothing is broken. Though the sun seems far from where you areAnd nights seem colder now that you’re waiting,Know your skin grows stronger with scarsOh darling nothing is broken,So live your life like it’s golden.

I know it’s so much harder to believeIn absolutely anythingBut when I see another pair of eyes staring back at me I remember love heals Whatever life brings…

Even skies weep before water hits the ground,And if the mountain’s steep we’ll find a way around.Even skies weep before water hits the ground,And if the mountain’s steep we’ll find a way around.

And we will stand foreverAnd we will grow togetherAnd we will stand foreverAnd we will grow together.

Though the sun seems far from where you areAnd nights seem colder now that you’re waiting,Trust your skin grows stronger with scars Darling nothing is broken,Oh darling nothing is broken.

Though the sun seems far from where you areAnd nights seem colder now that you’re waiting,Know your skin grows stronger with scars Nothing is broken,So live your life like it’s golden,Oh darling nothing is broken,Oh darling nothing is broken,So live your life like it’s goldenCause darling nothing is broken.

Take your time my love…

LIKE A RIVER (COMO EL RÍO)

Music by JAIME LOZANOLyrics by DAVID DAVILASpanish Lyrics by JAIME LOZANO

Feat. BOBBY PULIDO

Rhodes and organ: Paquito López; Guitars: Pavel Cal; Bass: Demián Cantú; Drums: Ross Pederson; Percussions: Dayron Cartas; Accordion: Gerardo “Quirri” Padilla; Trumpets: Raúl Agraz; Saxophones: Alex Hamlin; Trombones: León Nava; Programming: Demián Cantú; Backup vocals: Roke MD

When I was a teenager back in Monterrey, México, I became obsessed with Tex-Mex music. I used to host and MC these “bailes”—or dance parties—where we played only Tejano music. Close to home there was a music store, and every month I would pay them a visit asking if they could bring me from “el otro lado”—the other side (I meant the United States)—the newest albums (at the time cassette tapes, and then compact discs). One day I got this cassette from a new artist named Bobby Pulido, and I immediately became a huge fan, and he became one of my favorites. I can’t believe that 25 years later now, Bobby is actually celebrating 25 years of a music career, and I have the honor to write a song specially for him with my amigo and lyricist David Davila, who happens to be from the same town as Bobby: Edinburg, Texas. This song is actually my first attempt at writing a Tex-Mex cumbia, and I think we did great. It is a song about crossing the river, the river that separates México from the United States. It has always intrigued me that the same river has different names depending on where you are from: for me it was always el “Río Bravo,” and now that I am on the other side, they call it “Rio Grande.”

When the breeze comes through the flowers,And the palm trees start to sway,And the music in the distance fills my soulI sit on this porch for hoursAnd look back on yesterdayAs the memories before me start to roll.

Mami called it Río Bravo,Río Grande mi papá,As we crossed that Río Bridge each Saturday.Toys and treats for un centavoAt each vendedora standAnd as the sun began to set papá would pray:

That he’d live long enough to see me grow into a manBut if he didn’t that I’d prosper either way.

It’s like a river rushing byUnder wind reflecting skyYou can try but you can’t stop the flow of time.Because a river never tires,It’s gonna run till it expires,The river rushes like the hours of our lives.Treasure each moment as your last cause time will flyTill we say goodbye.

I still dream of happy placesWith papá in MéxicoAs I bring bouquets of flores to his grave.I take in my children’s facesWho have years and years to growAnd I hope that when I cross that they’ll be brave.

Just like papá I get on my knees and pray.

Because the river’s rushing byUnder wind reflecting skyI can try but I can’t stop the flow of time.Because a river never tires,It’s gonna run till it expires,The river rushes like the minutes of our lives.Treasure each moment as your last cause time will fly…

No one knows what’s waiting for us on the other side,So as you cross the río just enjoy the ride.

Because the river rushes byUnder wind reflecting skyDon’t ask why you’ll never stop the flow of time.El río no se cansará,El agua no se detendrá.No importa lo que pase siempre seguirá.Disfruta los momentos que no volverán,Ya no volverán.The river rushes byEl río seguirá.

CASTLES IN THE SKY

Music by JAIME LOZANOLyrics by JORGE “GEORGIE” CASTILLA

Feat. MIREYA RAMOS

Piano and Wurlitzer: Roberto Verastegui; Guitars: Pavel Cal; Bass: Demián Cantú; Percussions: Dayron Cartas

I met Jorge “Georgie” Castilla back in 2008, and since the first moment we saw each other we instantly connected. We were both struggling in New York City and trying to find our new voices as immigrant artists. As I am, he is a very sensitive person: we both easily cry when something amazes us or moves us. This song with lyrics by Georgie is about a person questioning herself about leaving her own place to start a new life somewhere else with her life’s love. It is actually inspired by another friend when she was dealing with that huge decision. And there is no one better to sing about this struggle than one of my favorite voices nowadays, the soulful Mireya Ramos. My wife Florencia and I have been a huge fan of all-female mariachi band Flor de Toloache for a while now, and having its founder and singer as part of this album, singing this bolero pop, made us feel so honored and proud. Mireya confessed to me that this was the first time she has recorded something like this, very different to the music she usually does, and here between us, this is one of my favorite tracks.

None of us, my love, is getting any younger.And I hear you when you say your hopes grow thin.Yes, I know your dreams are torn asunder,Darling, I know where you’ve been,Up in Heaven, down in Hell and in-between.

And I hear you when you cryThat you’d hate to say goodbyeFor the sake of building castles in the sky.But allow me to reply“there are dangers worth a try”Let us fly together to that palace way up high.

None of us, my love, is ready for the journey.But we’re packing light and leaving nonetheless.If the woods ahead are dark and curvy,Darling, we’ll clean up the mess.We’ll keep moving up and down, and in-between.

And we’ll learn to say goodbyeTo the life we leave behindFor the risk of building castles in the sky.But allow your tears run dry,Let your fears and mine turn shyAs we fly together to that palace way up high.

None of us, my love, is waiting any longer.We’ve begun to make a living out of dreams.And perhaps we won’t have much to squander,Darling, it’s fine, we’re a team.Up and down, and once again in-between.

None of us, my love, is scared of stormy weather.We don’t have to build a castle in the sky.Far from home, we’re home if we’re together.Learning once more how to fly...Up or down, or once again in-between.Up or down, or once again in-between.Up or down, or once again...None of us, my love,Is getting any younger.

VENEZUELA

Music by JAIME LOZANO & MIGGUEL ANGGELOLyrics by MIGGUEL ANGGELO

Feat. MIGGUEL ANGGELO and JORGE GLEM

Piano: Jesús Altamira; Cuatro: Jorge Glem; Contrabass: Marcos Milagres; Maracas: Juan Ernesto Laya

I have had the honor of being both musical director and writing partner for a lot of projects of Venezuelan performer Migguel Anggelo, who I like to call “mi pana.” This song is a tribute to the beautiful country of Venezuela. I don’t want to start talking about politics, so I would only say it is a wonderful country, rich in culture and natural resources and full of amazing people, many of them having to leave their beloved country to find a better life. This is a love letter to this amazing country, and I have the honor of collaborating also in this track with virtuoso Venezuelan cuatro player Jorge Glem. Fun fact: we met each other because we used to live in the same building when we both had just arrived to this country. The “cuatro” is a four single nylon string instrument, very important in Venezuelan music culture and history. And one of the things I love the most about this project is to have the honor to collaborate and learn from all these amazing musicians and performers who, although most of us are Latinos, are all different. We come from different backgrounds, and all of our stories are special and unique.

Déjame contarte una hermosa historiaDe un lugar donde las vacas son mariposas,Donde se le canta a un bravo pueblo y su gloria;Donde los hermanos son garzas y rosas.

Un lugar donde siempre salta un ángelQue cae para buscar a un negro Orinoco,Donde las nieves en el pico son de miel;Que endulzan las aguas frescas de coco.

Rodeados de araguaney y apamate,Abrazados de vientos de gemelas maracas;Con campos de oro, tabaco y chocolate,Y el grito esquizofrénico de guacharacas.

Nos canta la orquídea y el naranja turpial,Nos bañamos en sus tibios ríos y playas;Nuestra alma es fresca cual joven manantial Nuestra piel sabe a mango, lechosa y guayaba.

Amiga viuda luna Cúbreme con tu hora menguante,Llena de luz a esta tierra tropicalY a su gente noble y caminante.Con mi tricolor de siete estrellas,De dos Simones que dejaron su huella.De sangre Yanomami, Y de guayoyo que cuela;Yo soy… Venezuela.

DREAMER

Music by JAIME LOZANOLyrics by JORGE “GEORGIE” CASTILLA

Feat. MAURICIO MARTÍNEZ and ALEX LACAMOIRE

Piano: Alex Lacamoire; Guitars: Pavel Cal; Bass: Rudyck Vidal; Drums: Javier Garagarza; Percussions: Joel Mateo; Trumpets: Carlos Garza; Saxophone: Enrique Ríos; Trombone: Erika Rosas; Violins and Cellos: Luis Cardoso; Backup vocals: Roke MD

This is my hymn, my battle song. I consider myself a “dreamer” and a “doer.” Even when these two words could seem opposite sometimes, that’s what I do. Every day I dream, asleep or awake, of a better life; of being a better version of myself; of being able to create a stronger Latino artists’ community; of my stories and songs being heard and sung around the world; of a fair, diverse, and equal artistic community; of being able to create a legacy; of creating a better world for my son and daughter. And after dreaming, I try to do my part. Yes, I know it is hard. We are imperfect human beings, we make mistakes, but we need to keep on dreaming, doing, trying, falling, failing, learning, and starting again. This album is a dream come true through action, through the help and support of many people. We can’t do it alone. We need to work together. Gracias a mi Familia for being part of this, and for helping me tell these stories—our stories. This song and this album is for all of us. With lyrics by Jorge “Georgie” Castilla and an amazing vocal delivery by Mauricio Martínez.

A dreamer dreams a foolish dreamOf waking up on greener hillsOf promises unknown.So he steps outside to start the journey,And he wonders: “Will I ever make it on my own?”

He dreams of opportunity,He’s looking for community,He’s hoping to belong.So he steps outside, he’s finally moving on.When the heart is hopeful, what could possibly go wrong?

Dreamer,There’s a life you leave behind.You step outside, you’re looking for the answersTo keep believing in this state of mind.Dreamer,May your dreams repay in kind,The love and sacrifice for all that matters:A home away from home is yours to find.

A dreamer struggles with his dream,He’s so frustrated so he screams,He’s feeling small and meek.So he steps outside to face the skylineHoping that its beauty gets him through another week.

He works two jobs, he saves the tips,He learns the language, makes the tripsDetermined to succeed.So he steps outside, the signs are clear to read:When the heart is wishful, there is no way to recede.

Dreamer,There’s a life you leave behind.You step outside, you’re looking for the answersTo keep believing in this state of mind.Dreamer,May your dreams repay in kind,The love and sacrifice for all that matters:A home away from home is yours to find.

Dreamer, open your eyes,Dream while you’re awake.Put your hopes in the highs,The lows won’t see you break.The brain could fry,The heart might ache,You step outside and stompUntil you make the city shake.Make it shake and quake.

Dreamer,Sueña que lo puedes alcanzar.Un paso al frente de lo complicado,Un paso afuera de la tempestad.Sueña,Al dormir y al despertar,Da un paso adentro de lo que has logrado,Un paso lejos del pasado.A home away from your homeIs yours to find.You’ll be fine.You’ll be fine.Look, you’re fine.

HECHO PARA AMARTE

Music and Lyrics by JAIME LOZANO

Feat. MARCIAL ISTÚRIZ

Piano: Jesús Altamira; Guitars: Pavel Cal; Bass: Marcos Milagres; Drums: Javier Garagarza; Percussions: Dayron Cartas; Trumpets: Carlos Garza; Saxophones: Alex Hamlin; Trombones: León Nava; Violin, Viola and Cello: Luis Cardoso; Backup vocals: Roke MD

Dedicated to my beautiful wife Florencia Cuenca. Mi inspiración.

This is the only song completely in Spanish in the album, with lyrics by Yours Truly. It is the first song I wrote for my now wife when I met her. This song, originally a ballad, was sung at our wedding by one of our best friends. This “bonus track” is a gift for Florencia, and I decided to add it here, I guess because it’s my album, hehehehehe. We made it this huge, ambitious salsa arrangement and got one of the best salsa singers in the world, the amazing Marcial Istúriz, who took the song to the next level. Every single song in this album comes from my heart, from a place of honesty and love for who I am, for who we are, and including this very personal song to close the album is like signing the most important document in my life with my own blood. I hope you enjoyed this journey through my stories, our stories, the stories of my people, stories that need to be shared and heard. This album wouldn’t exist without the support of so many amigos musicians from all over the world, and I would like to mention specially two of them: first, my co-arranger and co-orchestrator, and the pianist in most of the tracks, my brother Jesús Altamira. We started working together back in 2001, and every day these collaborations have become stronger. I’m so grateful to have him by my side to help my music sound its best. Second but not less important, my co-producer and engineer, mi hermano Demián Cantú, whom I consider my other pair of ears, who makes these tracks sound as amazing as they sound, and who makes magic with all the crazy material I send his way. I’m grateful to have you both in my life.

Tanto recorrer sin encontrar una razónHoy aquí a tu lado todo tiene explicación.Que el camino que recorríMe condujo hasta ti.

Tanto te busqué que yo pensé que eras ficciónY me conforme con verte en mi imaginación.Hoy que estás frente a mí,No quiero dejarte ir.

Hoy se bien que eres tú esa razónY la música a encontrarte me ayudó.Cada nota, cada paso en el ayerMe confirma lo que se…

Fui hecho para amarteY tu corazón oír cantar,Y abrazarte,Y así juntos recorrer cada momento,Cada espacio, cada calle, cada sueño,Y hacerlos realidad.Hecho para amarte,Mano a mano juntos caminarY recordarteQue hoy que te encontré estoy completo,Quiero siempre estar donde tú estás.

Hoy se bien que eres tú esa razónY la música a encontrarte me ayudó.Cada nota, cada paso en el ayerMe confirma lo que se…

Fui hecho para amarteY tu corazón oír cantar,Y abrazarte,Y así juntos recorrer cada momento,Cada espacio, cada calle, cada sueño,Y hacerlos realidad.Hecho para amarte,Mano a mano juntos caminarY recordarteQue hoy que te encontré estoy completo,Quiero siempre estar donde tú estás.Quiero siempre estar donde tú estás.

JAIME LOZANO & THE FAMILIASONGS BY AN IMMIGRANT

Produced by JAIME LOZANO, DEMIÁN CANTÚ and JESÚS ALTAMIRACo-Producer: VICTORIA KÜHNEExecutive Producers: JAIME LOZANO and FLORENCIA CUENCA

Arrangements and Orchestrations by JAIME LOZANO and JESÚS ALTAMIRAVocal arrangements by ROKE MD

Edited, Mixed and Mastered by DEMIÁN CANTÚ at La Casita Recording StudioRecorded between August 2018 and September 2020Pianos recorded at Victoria RecordsAll vocals recorded between March and September 2020 during COVID-19 times at different home studios

Cover illustration by MARTHA ORENDAIN, inspired on a photo by ALEJANDRO PUJOLPackage Design by ROBBIE ROZELLE

jaimelozano.net @jaimelozano

For Broadway RecordsVAN DEAN, President / Executive ProducerROBBIE ROZELLE, A&R DirectorDEENA ZUCKER, Associate ProducerSOPHIA BELLA CUCCI, Social Mediabroadwayrecords.com @bwayrecords

ALSO AVAILABLE FROM JAIME LOZANO & BROADWAY RECORDSA NEVER-ENDING LINE: A FEMALE SONG CYCLEJaime Lozano, named Broadway’s “next big thing” by Lin Manuel-Miranda, developed A Never-Ending Line with a group of female lyricists (Lindsay Erin Anderson, Neena Beber, Lauren Epsenhart, Sami Horneff, Victoria Kühne, Lisa Mongillo, Marina Pires, Noemi de la Puente, and June Rachelson-Ospa), and featuring an all-star cast.

GOFUNDME SUPPORTERS:

Miguel Almaguer, Martha Garza, Marysol Flores, Ulises Valenzuela, Julieta González, Carlos Algara, Lis Chavarría, Luis Alberto Cantú Barrera, Loida Garza Ornelas, Jorge Caltzoncit, Sergio Garza, Eduardo Enrikez, Mónica González, Gerry Elizondo, Ricardo Baqueiro, Francisco Guzmán, Rocío López, Danny Sada, Mauricio Ibarra, Gicela Sehedi, Mel Atky, Balbina Sada, Valerie Accetta, Beatriz Zepeda, June Rachelson-Ospa, David Marcos, Sonia de los Santos, Zach Redler, Sonia Monroy, Kat Lozano, Brent Black, Pilar Zepeda, Miguel Ángel Tobías, Sofía del Río, Mario Cortés, Jess Domanico, Sergio González Zorrilla, Eva Sordo, Brian Wittenberg, Joel Chavez, Vivian Estevez, Stephanie Ybarra, Andrew Monohan, Debra Rosenstock, Michael Wartofsky, Kat Sherrell, Musa Hitomi, Abigail Grubb, Assaf Gleizner, Lorena Rico, Michael Perreca, Dan Goggin, Matthew Woolf, Guillermo Wiechers, Henry Krieger, Eddie Rodríguez, Sammi Cannold, Greg Pliska, Addie Counts, Daniela Lugo, Justine Goggin, Paloma de Vega Centenera, Andrés Zambrano, Alexis González Guarneros, Boris Chalakov, Mariana Ramírez, Rebecca Aparicio, Lauren Grajewski, Carlos Augusto Reyes Fernández, Jacob Padron.

Proceeds from the sale of this album will benefit R.Evolución Latina,an organization that activates individual and collective human growth through

artistic experiences for transformation and social change. A Revolution of Evolution, Making a difference through the Arts.

revolucionlatina.org

℗© 2020 JAIME LOZANO, EXCLUSIVELY DISTRIBUTED BY BROADWAY RECORDS®. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. UNAUTHORIZED DUPLICATION IS A VIOLATION OF APPLICABLE LAWS. BR-DIG16320

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