Through music of struggle, hope, and joy, Voices is dedicated to tearing down walls to bring about a more just and compassionate world. In the late 80’s and early 90’s, this musical mission was driven by Chris Inserra, Peter Buttitta, Susan Salidor, and Jeff Weintraub. With airtight harmonies and compelling arrangements, they set the bar high, and delivered great music through 4 releases: “Voices” (1988), “Heirloom” (1991), “Pieces of Resistance” (1992), and “Voices of Hope and Healing”, a compilation released in 1992.
Transitions through the mid-nineties saw the early team give way to a new ensemble, and by the band’s 1996 release “Step by Step”, the group was Chris Inserra, Margaret Feit Clarke, Iesha Scott and Gerome Bell on vocals, Matt Yanny-Tillar on vocals and guitar, and Greg Penn on percussion. This same vocal team, with Edna Walker stepping in on percussion, also powered “Tearing Down Walls”, the band’s 6th release in 1999. Both CD’s pull on the diverse influences of the members, and combine gospel, folk, languages and arrangements from around the world, and a substantial amount of original material from the band.
Voices continues performing in the 21st century, especially as part of movements to close the School of the Americas and to protest U. S. militarism. A long hiatus from recording ended with the 2007 release “Dare the Untried”, the first release with all-original material, and the first to include a “second-generation” member, percussionist Nathan Inserra-Mousin. Activist and musician Holly Near offered this early review: “…Voices, just bought your cd from CD Baby. Congratulations on this release! Love the cover art, diversity of subjects, spirit and of course the activism that is rooted in all the songs. Keep circling on!" In addition, a new CD is available as of early 2008 that features originals written by Chris, Peter, Susan and “man-behind-the-music” Jay Rehak, aptly titled “Original Songs from the Early Years”.
