From The Mountaintop
Le Poisson Rouge168B Bleecker Street, New York 10012
Presented by NYC Winter Jazzfest, From The Mountaintop brings William Parker’s Flower In a Stained Glass Window to Le Poisson Rouge in an extended, mixed program of music, spoken word and poetry. Parker’s work imagines Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a seminary student, considering social and political justice; it later places King’s departing spirit in conversation with Tasunke Witko. The cast includes Alicia Hall Moran, Anne Marie Sandy, Juan Pablo Carletti, Gabby Fluke-mogul, James Brandon Lewis, Taylor Ho Bynum, Steve Swell, Tongo Eisen-Martin, Ellen Christi, Eri Yamamoto, Diego Hedez and Isaiah Parker, with surprise guests to be announced. Small and large ensembles will bring this work and other pieces for King to life.
Composer, bassist, multi-instrumentalist, author and educator William Parker has recorded more than 40 albums as a leader, working in settings from solo bass and quartets to sextets and the Little Huey Creative Music Orchestra. His projects include The Essence Of Ellington and The Inside Songs of Curtis Mayfield; he has also written for the Wroclaw Symphony Orchestra and for large and small commissioned ensembles. Parker has composed music and librettos for multimedia operas including Trail of Tears, Vision Peace and Battle Cries, and Mass for the Healing World. His music is grounded in his concept of Universal Tonality and incorporates improvisational languages and possibilities.
Le Poisson Rouge offers a versatile space where artistry meets nightlife, with a capacity of around 700 and a modular stage that adapts to diverse performances. The venue blends seated classical concerts with standing rock or DJ sets, creating a dynamic flow throughout the evening. Its design, by Walters-Storyk Design Group, ensures excellent acoustics and sightlines, allowing you to catch every detail from the front row to the back. The adjacent Gallery Bar provides a quieter spot with a small stage, perfect for more intimate moments. Expect a night that can shift from focused listening to lively dancing, with a full bar available but no full restaurant. Shows are ticketed, and buying ahead is recommended. The venue’s rich programming spans classical, indie, jazz, and more, reflecting its founders’ vision to fuse popular and art cultures in a single vibrant setting.