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Updated 3/31/2023

Stephen Haynes

  • C

    CT

Institution/Business Type: Artist / Creative (Individual)

Stephen Haynes is an improviser, arts organizer and recording artist.  His practice ranges from small groups to large orchestras with a focus on working directly with composers in the development of new music. His work is featured on Pillars, Tyshawn Sorey’s groundbreaking work for octet released on Firehouse 12 Records. He is also a founding member of Adam Rudolph’s East Coast version of Go: Organic Orchestra.

Haynes records for New Atlantis Records, most recently releasing Pomegranate, a quintet with Joe Morris, Ben Stapp, William Parker and Warren Smith. His new brass band, Knuckleball, will tour and record during the spring of 2023.

Over the past 40 years, Haynes has worked with a range of vanguard composers including Bill Dixon, Cecil Taylor, George Russell, Butch Morris, Rhys Chatham, LaMonte Young and Earle Brown.

Newest Project: Knuckleball

Stephen Haynes, Taylor Ho Bynum & Herb Robertson / cornet, flugelhorn; Sam Newsome / soprano saxophone; Josh Roseman / trombones; Ben Stapp / tuba; Eric Rosenthal / drums and percussion

Knuckleball tours New England - supported by NEFA - during the spring of 2023, with performances at the Shea Theater in Turners Falls MA/Pioneer Valley Jazz Shares; Firehouse 12 and Real Art Ways.  The ensemble will be recorded live and in the studio at Firehouse 12 for commercial release in 2024.

Knuckleball – the music – explores the relationship between notation and improvisation, blurring the distinctions between the two for the listener.  What is ‘free’ and what is pre-arranged?  The instrumentation takes an established ensemble configuration – the brass band (think New Orleans, Balkan Brass Bands) and pours it into the vessel of Free Music practice.  Rhythm, harmony and narrative get explored and exploded in this context and the resulting sound – for the listener – will suggest both the familiar and the unexpected.

Knuckleball - the ensemble - is built upon and deeply informed by the relational.  Haynes and Ho Bynum have been collaborating for over 25 years.  Similarly, long-term collaborative relationships with Herb Robertson, Ben Stapp and Eric Rosenthal ground the ensemble.  Haynes has worked with Newsome – one of the most unique voices in the music – for several years, in a range of settings.  Josh Roseman has never worked with Haynes before.  All of the players are leaders in their own right – as players and composers – and share a deep and abiding commitment to collective ensemble improvisation.

Find Me

Stephen Haynes
Job Title: Artist / Arts Organizer
Phone: 860-944-5094
Address:
Wethersfield, CT 06109

Social Media:

Additional Content:

  • Decoder Premiers Pomegranate

    Cornetist Stephen Haynes has released his first New Atlantis effort, Pomegranate, a quintet w/Joe Morris, Ben Stapp, William Parker and Warren Smith. “Mangui Fii Reek (I am Still Here)” is shared here.

About

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Artist / Creative (Individual)

Legal Status:

Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Artist / Creative (Individual)

Legal Status:

Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship

Disciplines

Primary Discipline:

Music - Jazz

Additional Disciplines:

  • Music - New

Activities and Services

Activities and Services:

  • Performance / Concert / Reading
Seasons Active: spring, summer, fall, winter
Events Per Year: 5

Communities

Populations Engaged:

  • Adults
  • Families
  • General Public
  • Nonprofits

Languages Available:

  • English

Geographic Reach:

  • Multi-State Region

Media Gallery

I Have Worked With

Real Art Ways

Arts Center

Date: 01/1995-12/2023

I maintain a long-running collaborative relationship with Real Art Ways - for over a quarter century. Highlights include: 1) Artist-in-Residence (2004-05); 2) 6 years of co-curating the Improvisations series (10 plus events per season); 3) 4 years of working as a teaching artist in support of the Park Arts summer program, 5) NEFA supported presentation – performance and live recording - of Knuckleball (see profile description) in spring 2023.

Affiliations and Accomplishments

Awards

Awards:

  • Creation of New Works / Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation

Awards

Awards:

  • Creation of New Works / Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation

Education

Education:

  • MSW / School of Social Work / University of Connecticut
  • BA / Black Music / Bennington College

Special Designations

Special Designations:

  • NEFA Grant Recipient

Designated Arts Community:

  • Connecticut Service Region Member - Greater Hartford Arts Council Service Region

Artist Info

Teaching Artist

Teaching Settings:

  • School / University
  • Arts and Cultural Center / Venue
  • Community Site / Center

Ages Served:

  • Adults
  • College-age

Subject Areas:

  • Music

Fee range:

Negotiated on a case-by-case basis

Teaching Artist

Teaching Settings:

  • School / University
  • Arts and Cultural Center / Venue
  • Community Site / Center

Ages Served:

  • Adults
  • College-age

Subject Areas:

  • Music

Fee range:

Negotiated on a case-by-case basis

Touring Artist

Technical Requirements:

  • TBA

Fee Range:

Negotiated on a case-by-case basis

State of Residence:

Connecticut

Minimum Number of Performers:

2

Maximum Number of Performers:

7