WILLIAM PARKER, SHABAKA & HAMID DRAKE

“Why do we play music?” asks William Parker. “The answer is to go all the way inside to praise this wonderful life. Each sound is an inspiration, each song is a prayer.” For his second appearance at the Pierre Boulez Saal, the New York–born bassist has invited his longtime partner, percussionist Hamid Drake, and multi-instrumentalist Shabaka to form a new trio that will make its debut with a blues-inspired program. “Every time there is a gathering of musicians to play music that heals it’s a blessed occasion,” Parker says. Between meditation and jubilation, the three artists will transform the stage into a space of true community.