Jazz Icons Terri Lyne Carrington & Christie Dashiell Reimagine Max Roach's Classic with WE INSIST 2025

“I set out to make an album that not only somehow captures the spirit of resistance,

but that also acknowledges joy as a form of protest.”

—TERRI LYNE CARRINGTON

Four-time GRAMMY®-winning jazz icon Terri Lyne Carrington and GRAMMY®-nominated vocalist Christie Dashiell join forces for We Insist 2025, a bold and breathtaking reimagining of Max Roach’s 1960 civil rights masterpiece We Insist! Freedom Now Suite. Their first single, “Freedom Day (Part 1),” sets the tone for an album rooted in liberation, unity, and the continuing struggle for equality. Carrington’s powerful drumming and visionary production intertwine with Dashiell’s soul-stirring vocals to create a fresh, urgent sound that bridges generations. Together, they channel the revolutionary spirit of Roach’s work into a contemporary call for justice, inclusion, and collective healing.

The album’s standout tracks pulse with both reverence and reinvention. “Freedom Day (Part 1)” brings new life to Oscar Brown Jr.’s timeless lyrics — “Slave no longer, this is Freedom Day” — with Dashiell’s emotional clarity and Carrington’s forward-thinking rhythmic framework. Supported by an exceptional ensemble — Matthew Stevens (guitar), Simon Moullier (vibes), Morgan Guerin (bass, woodwinds), and Milena Casado (trumpet, electronics) — the project is as musically daring as it is socially resonant. Each song is a declaration: that the power of jazz lies not only in its notes, but in its ability to bear witness, provoke thought, and inspire change.

Terri Lyne Carrington, an NEA Jazz Master, four-time GRAMMY® winner, and founder of the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, continues to redefine what jazz can be — not just musically, but socially. In addition to her groundbreaking work in education, she serves as Artistic Director for the Carr Center in Detroit, where she uplifts emerging artists and curates projects that bridge art, culture, and community. Her decades-long career has seen collaborations with legends like Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Esperanza Spalding, and her leadership has reshaped the landscape for women, trans, and non-binary artists in jazz. Washington, D.C.-born and raised, Christie Dashiell carries the spirit of her hometown’s vibrant jazz and go-go heritage into her work, blending gospel, soul, and R&B with effortless grace. Celebrated for her rich tone and lyrical sensitivity, she stands among the brightest vocalists of her generation. Together, Carrington and Dashiell forge a partnership that honors the past while fearlessly propelling the music forward. For more information, visit TerriLyneCarrington.com.

Photo Credit: Eric Bardin

REVIEWS

“Must-Hear Album…

Terri Lyne Carrington and Christie Dashiell blend jazz and activism on We Insist 2025!”

—Grammy.com

“Terri Lyne Carrington, one of the country’s primary ambassadors of jazz, bridges the genre’s storied past and urgent present. With ‘We Insist 2025!,’ she not only honors Max Roach’s towering legacy but revives the soul of protest music—reminding us that, nearly 200 years later, the most powerful songs of resistance remain heartbreakingly relevant.”

—LA Times

“The original We Insist! was a rallying cry during the civil rights movement. This version is something different—an invitation to engage with today’s struggles for equity, identity, and freedom, both on and off the bandstand.”

—WBGO, Third Story Podcast

"We Insist 2025 is reimagined art at its finest—an urgent, enduring statement that channels anger, tenderness, and joy through protest music. Led by NEA Jazz Master Terri Lyne Carrington, the album honors Max Roach’s legacy with collective improvisation, bold reinterpretation, and a deeply contemporary vision of freedom."

—Glide Magazine

“Carrington, an NEA Jazz Master, Doris Duke

Artist and four-time Grammy winner, approached this music both as a nod to Max Roach and a modern reflection on his political message.”

—WRTI

“An early contender for a standout jazz performance

of the year.”

— All About Jazz

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