In “Bastille Day,” Hamilton Berry doesn’t merely play cello—he colors the air with deep emotional resonance. His voice folds effortlessly into the tapestry of the track, shaping its narrative with warmth and lyrical flourish. Recorded at New York’s Power Station, this piece unites the poignant vocal of Magos Herrera, Dan Tepfer’s nuanced piano, and Berry’s cello as a connective, emotive bridge.
Berry’s approach is at once delicate and compelling. He offers long, expressive lines that linger in the space between Herrera’s words and Tepfer’s harmonies, an anchoring warmth that grounds the piece even as it sweeps toward climactic heights. It’s a sound that calls out, not with volume, but with resonance—echoing in the listener’s memory long after the music fades.
A Juilliard-trained cellist and member of the GRAMMY®-nominated PUBLIQuartet, Berry brings his richly layered background to every collaboration. He’s performed with artists across genres—from Vampire Weekend to Björk—and in festivals from Montreal Jazz to Yellow Barn. His artistry on “Bastille Day” reflects that versatility: he blends classical technique, improvisational nuance, and emotional instinct into a cello voice that’s equally refined and spontaneous.
In a piece named for revolution and renewal, Berry’s cello becomes more than accompaniment—it becomes the emotional spine. The rich, lyrical texture he weaves amplifies the themes of liberation and reflection embedded in the composition. His role transforms the music into a space listeners can feel as much as hear.