Steve Swell is one of the finest composers/improvisers on the New York downtown scene and is internationally acclaimed for his trombone playing. He has performed regularly in Europe, often in Poland, where he has established important connections with local musicians. On one of his many trips to Kraków he decided to visit Auschwitz, and wrote, “The first time I tried to visit Auschwitz in 2007, there was no train. They had changed the track of the train that regularly departed for there. They announced the track change in Polish but not in English. There were about two very angry people yelling and screaming at the ticket sellers and railroad staff as to this oversight. Can you imagine, people yelling that they missed the train to Auschwitz and that it had ruined their day?”

Later he wrote, "If Trains Could Speak is inspired by that ninety-minute train ride from Kraków to Auschwitz concentration camp. The ride itself is through some very beautiful, peaceful countryside and farmland in southeast Poland. The incongruity of my ride and the ride of those whose trip seventy years before was one of uncertainty and hopelessness prompted a multitude of thoughts and feelings as the train progressed to its destination. The journey and visit to the camp itself sparked a deeper understanding of the horrors that humans are capable of and its juxtaposition to our ability to be brilliant, creative, and tolerant. Delving into the choice we have in either surrendering to our baser instincts or transcending them, feeds my own lifelong curiosity of what it means to be alive, and to know that life is fragile, dangerous, and magnificent all at the same time."

In addition to the composer on trombone, the performance will feature Deanna Relyea, mezzo-soprano; Jason Kao Hwang, violin and viola; Piotr Michalowski, bass clarinet and soprano saxophone; Steve Rush, piano; Ken Filiano, bass; and Michael TA Thompson, percussion.

All attendees must be fully vaccinated and wear a mask.

Visit https://www.kerrytownconcerthouse.com/edgefest/ for festival or single event tickets.