Parrhesia Redux

 Stephen Haynes and Parrhesia w/Joe Morris and Warren Smith

Vision Festival XVI

New York, NY

Real Art Ways

Hartford, CT

The New York City premier of my trio, Parrhesia, took place in June, a year after the release of our album on Engine Records.  We were invited to perform at the Vision Festival on opening night.  This was a double pleasure for me, as I have never worked the festival as a leader and rarely present my work in the city.  The music was a delight, as was the audience.  Peter Gannushkin captured a beautiful set of images of the work.  Read Bruce Gallanter's (Downtown Music Gallery) review here.

A week later, we performed at Real Art Ways here in Hartford.  This was a return of sorts, as the trio was conceived and developed at RAW during my year-long artist residency five years ago.  We encamped in a small gallery, with the ensemble surrounded on three sides by listeners - an intimate, acoustic environment.  The venue was/is ideal for direct contact with audience and I was happy to see/meet folks that have never heard my work, as well as long-time local listeners.  Read the local coverage here and here

On both evenings, the music unfolded with an air of controlled mystery, steeped in a ritual sensibility.  There is something powerful and essential about creating music with partners that are long-time friends as well as colleagues. 

Joe Morris and I sat down for a long conversation with Will K. Wilkins, Real Art Ways' Executive Director, several weeks after the concert.  We have agreed to begin a regular series of artist-curated events at RAW early in the fall. 

triptych of images of Parrhesia at Real Art Ways by Maurice Robertson

images of Parrhesia at the Vision Festival by Peter Gannushkin