The Magic of Margaux Hayes

The Studio at Billings Forge

Hartford, CT

I recently (okay, not so recently, I am a bit behind with my blog posts) had the treat to perform with a longtime musical friend, Margaux Hayes. She is on a short list of local favorites (another would be Mixashawn) who, unfortunately, rarely/infrequently work locally.

Margaux is a singer, or should I say sanger, who also writes and declaims poetry and is currently at work on an original opera. Lately we have seen her at reheasals with Anthony Braxton's large ensembles at Wesleyan University in Middletown.

We worked together at The Studio at Billings Forge, thanks to Luis Cotto of La Paloma Sabanera fame. Luis is a very special weaver of community, masterful in his manner of connecting people from all walks of life through the arts. Luis is also a champion of local artists, a rare thing.

The music was a delight, full of energy and infused by the spiritual. Margaux's elastic voice (and conception) led us through a mixed menu of standards (think Rahsaan Roland Kirk) and original material. Not for nothing, the audience at The Studio comes to listen. Nothing like a witness to ground the music.