Hawk Henries
Where are you from originally?
I am from Rhode Island originally. My wife and I moved to Maine, with our 6-month-old daughter, 34 years ago.
How did you become a musician? What inspired you?
I began making and playing flutes about 31 years ago. I had listened to Native flute music for years...one day I heard it different and felt compelled to try to play one. I use music as a tool to articulate my gratitude for Life and for all things that contribute to and enable it. I use the flute for prayer. I have never considered myself a musician yet I have played at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival several times, I've composed music to play with the London Mozart Players in England so it has been quite a journey.
Tell me more about the inspiration that comes out of your music. Give me an example of a song you have done and where it stems from.
This is a difficult question to answer because my hope is that my music inspires others in some way. After a concert, I gave a woman approached me to thank me for a song I played. She said that it allowed her to be in touch with some repressed sadness - she cried the whole time I played the song. A short while later another woman approached and remarked that the song was a most joyous one! It was the same song that allowed each person to "Feel" what they needed.
One of my old songs is called "Thanksgiving". It is a reminder for me to be mindful of the Gifts that enable our lives each day. It's too easy to overlook the magic of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch...this song helps me to remember...
Do you plan to launch new music?
I would love to make another recording. I have made 3 so far in addition to being on a compilation cd with flute players from around the country. I have new music so hopefully, in the near future, I will get to the studio.
How did you get into crafting your own flutes?
The short story - My wife and Dad gave me my first flute. I tried to improve it but only ruined it because I had no idea what I was doing. What took literally 5 minutes to ruin took 6 months to fix! From that experience, I learned about how these flutes work. I applied that knowledge to new materials and began making new flutes.