Paul Novak - Numbness (Jaxon Williams, guitar)

Catharsis is a commission project inspired by the Guitar Foundation of America’s #Tearsfor2020 movement. As stated by GFA, “2020 has brought unimaginable heartbreak and anxiety to our global community. We seek to honor and support all affected by loss, uncertainty, sadness, and pain by performing tributes using the hashtag #Tearsfor2020.“ A diverse array of 15 composers and 13 performers worked together for the creation and premiere of 15 new compositions inspired by Francisco Tárrega’s Lágrima (Tears). Catharsis aims to use music as an expressive outlet for all of the complex and painful emotions stemming from various crises of 2020. Between pandemics, systemic racism, polarizing politics, and a global economic crash, many people have cause to mourn. We hope this project helps connect people from various backgrounds and provide some relief and release of these emotions through music. For more information, please visit