Graham Haynes Speaks from Bahia
Led by visionary cornetist and producer Graham Haynes, this conversation-forward, practice-based course tunes in from Salvador, Bahia to explore how Afro-Brazilian traditions, jazz improvisation, and electronic sound design meet on the bandstand and in the studio. You’ll unpack candomblé and samba-reggae rhythms, examine their historical roots, and translate them into grooves, motifs, and textures for horns, keys, and laptops. Weekly sessions blend listening labs, transcription, beat-making, and short improvisation drills with field-recording assignments and guest demonstrations from local percussionists. By the end, you’ll assemble a concise portfolio: a hybrid track, a live improv study, and a one-page reflection linking culture, technique, and intent.
Why it matters: the same tools you’ll pick up here—rhythmic layering, polyrhythmic feel, melodic economy, and ambient space—map directly to producing records, building compelling live sets, collaborating across languages, and scoring for film, games, and podcasts. You’ll also learn practical ethics for cross-cultural work: crediting tradition bearers, clearing rights, and compensating collaborators, so your projects travel well beyond the classroom. Expect actionable feedback, light lifts you can try between gigs, and a repeatable workflow you can bring to rehearsals, writing rooms, and remote sessions.
LIVE AUGUST 15 w/ POSTMAMBO BRASIL
Graham Haynes speaks on his life as an African American Artist living in Bahia.
Graham will be joined in Concert with, Márcio Pereira , Giba
Conceição, Alissa Sanders, Casarão das Yabás.
In association with Ned Sublette and POSTMAMBOBRASIL 2 https://www.afrocubaweb.com/nedsublette.htm
Graham Haynes, a renowned African American artist, will be sharing insights into his life while living in Bahia. This provides a unique perspective on the intersection of cultures and the influence it has had on his artistic expression. Through his experiences, Haynes will delve into how living in Bahia has shaped his identity as an artist, influencing his musical style and themes in profound ways. By reflecting on his journey as an African American artist in Bahia, Haynes offers a compelling narrative that highlights the rich tapestry of cultural exchange and creative inspiration that defines his work.
Joining Graham Haynes in concert are talented musicians such as Márcio Pereira, Giba Conceição, Alissa Sanders, and the venue Casarão das Yabás. This collaboration not only showcases the diversity of musical talent but also underlines the power of music to transcend boundaries and connect people from different backgrounds. The fusion of diverse musical influences in this concert serves as a testament to the vibrant cultural landscape of Bahia and the collaborative spirit that defines the artistic community in the region.
This concert is presented in association with Ned Sublette and POSTMAMBOBRASIL 2, emphasizing the interconnectedness of artistic endeavors across borders. Ned Sublette, known for his work in exploring the cultural intersections of music, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this collaboration. By partnering with POSTMAMBOBRASIL 2, the concert seeks to create a platform for cultural exchange and dialogue, fostering a deeper understanding of the shared experiences that unite us beyond geographical and cultural differences. Through music and art, this event celebrates diversity, creativity, and the universal language that unites us all.
Curriculum
Graham Haynes
I’m an American cornetist and composer shaped by Queens College studies in composition and electronic music, early church playing, and a lifelong dedication to improvisation. From co-founding Steve Coleman’s Five Elements and the M-Base movement to leading my own ensembles and exploring African, Arabic, and South Asian traditions, I’ve focused on expanding jazz with hip hop, electronics, and global rhythm. I’ve recorded with the Vijay Iyer Sextet (ECM), scored films, taught at NYU, and collaborated with artists from Cassandra Wilson and The Roots to Bill Laswell—while performing widely across Europe, Asia, Brazil, and Africa.
Graham Haynes Speaks from Bahia grows out of that journey. Bahia’s Afro-Atlantic pulse resonates deeply with my work, and in this course I connect lived experience—on stage, in studios, and in Brazilian cultural settings—to practical music-making. We’ll explore how cornet tone, improvisation, and texture meet contemporary production and Bahian rhythmic language, giving you tools you can use right away. My goal is to share what drives me, demystify the process, and help you find your voice at the crossroads of tradition and innovation.