Jeff Haynes. Dawn Sela Photography

“What an inspiring experience to have had these intimate moments with Pete Seeger, a man who I have grown to treasure and respect. I was born in the Fifties and understand what our country was going through during that era and the impact that music had on our political and social landscape. It is pretty humbling to be in the presence of a man who’s not afraid to defend the rights of humanity with his music and his words.
After many conversations with Pete, it felt so natural for me to bring my musical exposures and my vast collective of musician friends to this eclectic endeavor of spoken word and music. One of the many things I’ve learned from Pete is that folk is not just one style of music, but is in every culture and genre of music. We are all part of the folk process.

I hope you enjoy the journey that I have had the privilege to travel with Pete in creating The Storm King: Stories, Narratives, Poems.“

Jeff Haynes is a Grammy award winning, world-renowned percussionist who has toured with everyone from the Pat Metheny Group, Al Jarreau and Boney James to Harry Belafonte and Peabo Bryson. His chops can be heard on over 100 CDs. Blue Note recording artist Cassandra Wilson said, “He brings fire and heart to my music,” who featured Haynes in her touring and recording band for over 15 years.

Jeff brings a sound to today’s music scene that takes percussion beyond “technique” and “tradition”. In recorded and stage performances, he moves effortlessly from varied and subtle textures…to grooving in the pocket… to anchoring the rhythm section. In 2011, he was part of the rhythmic force supporting the legendary Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter and the celebrated Cassandra Wilson, Chaka Khan, Aimee Mann, Brian Blade and Glen Hansard.

As a composer and producer Jeff has a gift for bringing just the right performing artist and instrumentation to production each composition. Jeff is the founder and President of Komunyaka Music, Inc, a multi-faceted music production company offering percussion based workshops featuring professional storytellers, spoken word artists, dancers, and musicians.

Like Pete, Jeff spends time in the local schools teaching children music. Jeff works with 5th graders in Beacon on a drumming and spoken word program that helps students internalize and express the realities of Slavery and the Underground Railroad.

Jeff has spent the last three and a half years producing the music for this project.