Haynes, A Real Beacon Inspiration

By Arielle Altman

(Beacon) - Whether he is performing in distant cities on the other side of the world, or working with elementary students locally in Beacon and Newburgh, jazz percussionist Jeff Haynes life is about his music. “I live and breathe my music,” said Haynes, who transformed his career from a computer technician to a professional musician in 1991 and has recorded on over 100 albums.

Recently, Haynes returned from his two month long summer 2006 tour with singer-songwriter Lizz Wright, whom he has played with since 2003 and admires greatly. Although Wright is 26 years old, Haynes says the smooth voice of the jazz and gospel vocalist has a mature quality well beyond her years. Touring with her this summer in Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, France, Portugal, and Switzerland, Haynes performed at some of the most prominent Jazz festivals in the world, something not uncommon for him.

“I have been all over, and have seen some of the most beautiful places in the world,” Haynes said. “I’ve really been blessed.”

Haynes said he has also been blessed in terms of the many extremely talented musicians he has played with, including trumpet player Terence Blanchard, soul singer Peabo Bryson, jazz bassist Lonnie Plaxico and jazz guitarist Pat Metheny, among several others. He recalls his disbelief when world-famous Metheny called him up and asked him to play with his band for the 1997-1998 Imaginary Day Tour. “I didn’t believe it was him on the phone! I said,‘Who is this really?’”

For the past 17 years Haynes has played with Grammy winner Cassandra Wilson, and his percussion has become a staple in her blues songs. The jazzy and sultry vocalist, whose sound has been the inspiration for younger musicians like Norah Jones and India Arie, met Haynes when they played together at a club in New York in the early ‘80’s. Haynes has since appeared on nine of her albums. Haynes and Wilson have had some great times over the years, he says, and he regards Wilson like family.

Originally from Brooklyn, Haynes moved with his wife Donna and their three children to Beacon three years ago. In his Beacon home he has his own recording studio, which houses his dozens of percussion instruments, including the very rare wave drum of which he proudly owns two. Haynes enjoys being part of the Beacon community, and has teamed up with other talented Hudson Valley musicians and played local shows. On September 30th, he will be performing at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh. During the past couple of years he has also extended his community involvement to reach out to elementary school children in both Beacon and Newburgh.

When the school year starts back up next month, Haynes will be working in the Newburgh elementary magnet school Horizon-On-The-Hudson as well as Beacon’s JV Forrestal Elementary School where he taught last Spring. While he teaches students how to play percussion instruments, he also teaches them about the history of jazz music and incorporates his lessons into the grades curriculum. Educating is an important component of Haynes career, and he enjoys giving back through his music, which includes his weekly performances at the Castle Point Veteran’s Hospital.

This coming fall, Haynes will release his new album which will feature a wide range of jazz music with a Christian message. He says that he owes his life and music to God’s blessings and is thrilled to be making this CD. “The album is very eclectic and very unusual for Christian music,” said Haynes. “I dare to be different.”