Posts Tagged: Celtic Christmas

Things are buzzing here!  Yesterday I recorded the string parts on two tracks for folk singer Adam Sweeney’s upcoming release.  I crafted the arrangements at home over the last several weeks through listening to the basic tracks and dialoguing with Adam about his “vision for strings” and then yesterday I laid down the 2 upper voices.  Cello should be added next week along with some fiddle solos. 

The wearing of multiple hats is something that I would say is a strength of mine.  People often ask if there is a difference between a violin and a fiddle.  The answer is that it’s mostly how you play it.  I like being able to do both—I like that when I sit down to write a string arrangement, I actually use the music theory that I labored through in college.  Then when I’m fiddling, it’s great to be able to just focus entirely on that one feisty voice—linearly rather than horizontally.

Last month I did a combination of writing and improvising string parts for another Jeff Johnson/Brian Dunning affiliated recording project—Coram Deo.  The CD features the amaaaazzzzzing vocalists Janet Chvetal and Marc Gremm.  I first met Janet when I was still pregnant and no joke, my baby girl kicked like a cha cha dancer whenever Janet would sing! The CD is being mixed and I’ll have more to say soon but keep an eye out for concerts in and around Easter 2011.  Some of the recording was actually done at the iconic Neuscwanstein Castle in Germany. 

Also in the works is Christmas music!!!!  I’ll be touring again this year with American/Irish duo Jeff Johnson (keys/vocals) and Brian Dunning (flute/pipes/whistles…lots of cool stuff).  We’re promoting our new CD Under the Wonder Sky.  I can’t wait.  Last year’s tour was one of the most rewarding professional experiences of my entire life.  We kick things off here in Portland on the 24th of November—Sunset Presbyterian Church Thanksgiving Eve service.  This is one of the only local, free shows so take advantage of it if you’re not trying to figure out how to thaw your turkey!!!  More info at www.arkmusic.com. 

Last but not least there will be 2 Acoustic Christmas Concerts this year with my band.  This is the 7th installation—one show will be at Cloud 7 in the Pearl, the other at West Chehalem Friends Church out in Newberg.  Stay tuned—some details are still being finalized but I will be sure to blog all about it. 

For a complete listing of upcoming concerts, please visit the concerts and news page of this site. 

Blessings on  your Fall!

Back in 2000, my roommate Cary and I were living in a little vintage apartment on the Park Blocks near Portland State while I was working on my masters.  It was a depressing year… missing friends from college, the end of a relationship and the fact that our apartment’s windows faced a sliver thin inner courtyard meaning virtually no natural light was to be had.

One of the only things that kept us sane was a constant diet of good music and a favorite of ours at the time was the Windham Hill album “A Celtic Christmas.” Okay, Okay I’ll admit it:  I’ve been known to listen to Christmas Music year-round.  Who would have guessed that almost 10 years later, I would find myself going on tour with none other than the writers/performers of three of the songs on the album— Jeff Johnson and Brian Dunning.

I’ve already had the chance to play with Jeff this past Spring at the Grotto in Portland and up on Camano Island, Washington.  He and Brian’s music is wonderful—peaceful and joyful at the same time.  I can’t wait to be a part of these special concerts! 

You can check out the tour dates on the Upcoming Shows page of this site.