An Acoustic Adventure Under the 150-Foot Dome of the World’s Largest Cathedral

Seven-time Grammy® winning saxophonist Paul Winter’s 28th Annual Summer Solstice Sunrise Celebration will take place at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 17th at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Avenue at 112th Street, New York, NY.

This will be the Paul Winter Consort’s first solstice event in the Cathedral since before the pandemic began three years ago.

“Summer Solstice is one of the great turning points of the year, when the sun is at its peak and the days abound with the promise of life’s fullness,” Winter says. “Our aspiration, with this sunrise celebration, is to offer an experience of this resonance, in the mystical ambience of these early morning hours, through a deep listening journey within the awesome vastness of the Cathedral.”

The Consort will include Paul Winter on soprano sax, pianist Henrique Eisenmann, cellist Dave Haughey, and Raymond Nagem on the Cathedral’s organ.

Why 4:30 a.m.? Paul Winter responds: 
“When I’m awake in the darkness before dawn –as the birds begin to sing and the Earth prepares to greet the Sun – I feel as if life is beginning again. There’s something magical about that virginal time, when we’re free of our habitual patterns and obligations. My dream of evoking this feeling in music was the original inspiration for our Summer Solstice Celebration.

“We begin playing in total darkness at 4:30 a.m., embarking on a continuous musical journey. Somewhere near the halfway point, listeners gradually realize that the Cathedral’s great stained-glass windows are beginning to illuminate, as the light joins the sound to carry us into the dawning of the summer.”

Tea and Coffee Reception: 
Immediately following the concert, all are invited to a tea reception in the nave of the Cathedral, where audience members can meet each other and the musicians. The reception is hosted by the Consort’s friends from the Shumei Community of Japan, who offer complimentary green tea, roasted tea, coffee, and organic cookies.

Yoga Mat Section: 
There will be a section of the nave roped off for yoga mats, for people who want to enjoy this deep-listening experience lying down.

Father’s Day: 
Paul Winter suggests, “Bring your dad. Share an adventure to launch this weekend of Father’s Day, June 18th.”

Free Downloads: 
This Glorious Earth ©℗ 2023 Earth Music Productions 
Lavadeiras ©℗ 2022 Earth Music Productions 
Belly of the Whale ©℗ 2023 Earth Music Productions 
Lendas Braseiras ©℗ 2022 Earth Music Productions

TO PURCHASE TICKETS: Visit the Cathedral of St. John the Divine website HERE.

INFO: paulwinter.com