Poet’s Voice: An Afternoon with Legend Patti Smith at Greenwich Library

The Friends of Greenwich Library’s recent Poet’s Voice event featuring the legendary poet, performer, author, recording and visual artist, Patti Smith was a remarkable celebration of art, music, and literature.

The event was held at the Berkley Theater last Saturday.

“Patti Smith’s performance at Greenwich Library was nothing short of mesmerizing. Her ability to blend poetry with music created an atmosphere that was both electrifying and deeply moving,” said Performing Arts Librarian, Travis Milliman in a release.

It was an unforgettable afternoon listening to Patti perform hits like “Dancing Barefoot” and “People Have the Power” while sharing charming anecdotes about her writing. A standout moment was an exchange with her daughter, Jesse Paris Smith, over the pronunciation of Patti’s classic poem “A Pythagorean Traveler,” which Smith claimed she’s been mispronouncing for 20 years.”

Named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world, Patti Smith is a pioneering American artist and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer. As a poet, singer, songwriter, fine artist, and New York Times bestselling author, Smith has produced a body of work whose influence branches out through generations, across disciplines, and around the world.

Born in Chicago and raised in South Jersey, Smith emerged in the nascent cultural hotbed of mid-70s New York City.

She forged a reputation as one of the decade’s first visionary artists—merging poetry and rock in vital new ways. Her 1975 debut album, Horses, is routinely ranked as one of the greatest albums of all time and has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress. In 2007, she was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

As a poet, Patti Smith has released 14 books of poetry. Ms. Smith knew from a very young age that she was connected to poetry, but her transformation into a rock star was accidental.

In interviews, Smith has said that she had too much energy to stand and read poetry, so her friend turned longtime collaborator Lenny Kaye started playing guitar behind her while she performed her poetry. Thus, the Patti Smith Group was born.

Patti Smith is a four-time Grammy nominee and a Golden Globe nominee for the song “Mercy Is” co-written with Lenny Kaye for the film Noah. She was awarded the prestigious 2010 National Book Award for her bestselling memoir, Just Kids, chronicling her deep friendship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and the evolution of their work.

Her books include Witt, Babel, Woolgathering, The Coral Sea, Auguries of Innocence, Collected Lyrics, M Train, Devotion and Year of the Monkey. Her most recent book, A Book of Days, featuring 365 images and reflections was published in November 2022.

This program was presented by the Friends of Greenwich Library with support from the Horace E.  Manacher Poetry Fund.

The Friends Performing Arts Committee includes Helaine Winer, Chair; Kathy Cihi, Staff; Julia Gray; Alvina Kwan; Hilary Martin Lea; Archana Makam; Lisa Mandel, Staff; Mary Ellen Markowitz; Emily McCabe; Travis Milliman, Staff; Dora Salm, Staff; and Deirdre Sullivan, Staff.