Here are some links and/or song samples of some musicians whose music I would highly recommend. Most, but not all, have some Pacific Northwest connection. Most of them are local to the Portland, Oregon area. If they do not have a web site, I will put up a few song samples. If you want to know more about any group or musician, you can e-mail me from the link at the bottom of this page.
I only recently discovered Neal Ewers' music because we both were on a beta testing team. His web site has lots of sound samples and some great articles that I recommend taking the time to read.
Neal Ewers web site
Sally Harmon is a great jazz pianist and composer. Along with her husband/bassist, Frank Gruner, they have released about 21 CDs. You can read more about them and here song samples at their web page:
www.sallyharmon.com
Wayne Richards is the main composer, lead singer and guitarist for his group, Southern Nights. Southern Nights does contemporary folk music. Wayne writes some very moving songs as well as some extremely humorous songs. Most of them are based on true stories.
To read a fine review of the group, go to: positively entertainment
Southern Nights now has their own web page with some song samples, their performance schedule, etc. Check it out at:
www.southernnightsmusic.net .
If you enjoy harp music, (classical or celtic), you will love hearing Laura play the harp. Below are two song samples followed by a link to Laura's web page.
Flood Tide from the CD "Deep Waters". This CD contains more original chamber music for harp. Laura's abilities as a song writer can be heard on this C.D. and cassette. Original lyrics featuring depictions of Alaska are sung by soprano LeaAnne DenBeste. Laura also includes more music for flute, cello and harp as well as several solo harp pieces.
Laura has also done some recordings with her sister, Linda, of some medieval stories. Here is a sample of the first cut from the CD The Graphted Tree, which is a set of three medieval stories with harp accompaniment. Sir Orfeo
Laura Zaerr From Classical to Celtic! Harpist ~ Teacher ~ Composer. (some of the text is taken from Laura's web page)
One of my other favorite local musicians is Connie Cohen. She has a very unique style and the ability to capture profound thoughts with unexpected phrases. Here are two song samples from her CD "Heading Out".
Dancing Away
Queen of Diamonds
You can read more about connie at: Connie Cohen
Flipside is the name of the contemporary praise band at Lake Oswego United Methodist Church. They have produced a CD of some of the songs they perform at the "Sunday Morning Alive" worship service. You can read more about them and hear some samples at:the Flipside page of www.lakeoswegoumc.org
Flipside performing `We Are Gathered' by Dorie Ellzey Blesoff (accompanied by the congregation)
Dave Griffith (the flute player in Flipside) also plays flute in Voxanova. Voxanova plays Latin/World music styles. You can read more about them and hear song samples at their web site:
www.voxanova.com
The members of the band are:
Dave Griffith: Flute
Steve Funk: Guitar
Dean Thurston: Percussion
Sam Fisher: Bass
The title of their first CD is Vista Del Mar.
They have just released a Christmas CD which is infused with their unique sound. Very good, in my opinion.
Here are a few song samples from Dorie Ellzey Blesoff's latest CD.
Sins of the Parents (track 8)
It Takes Courage (track 11)
Gimme the Light (track 16)
You can read more about Dorie Ellzey Blesoff and listen to other song samples from Handin' Down The Love on her web site: Dorie Ellzey Blesoff
Within the few short years since they put their quartet together at a jazz festival at Mt. Hood Community College, Just 4 Kicks has become a staple at jazz clinics and festivals all over the United States and Canada. Each of the members of this a cappella vocal jazz quartet is distinguished independently in music and brings an incredible depth to Just 4 Kicks to make it truly unique. As solid performers and educators, they are able to present themselves and their art in a way that students can appreciate, understand, and learn...(You can read the rest of the article and details about their recordings at:www.singers.com/jazz/just4kicks.html
The members of the group are: Randy Crenshaw, Kirk Marcy, Kirby Shaw and Vijay Singh.
Here are a couple samples from their "All In Good Time" CD
I'm Walkin'
A Quiet Place
I have been learning about producing notes with programs like GoldWave. If you want to know more about the Hertz value of notes, check out my pages at the link below. I have sound samples for tuning a 26 string Celtic Harp and a standard 6 string Guitar.
Chromatic scale with Hertz values
The song that is playing in the background is Cantigas de Santa Maria, by Alfonso X El Sabio, who lived from 1221 to 1284. I play it on a 26 string Celtic harp made by Dusty Strings, Seattle. The arrangement is by Laura Zaerr.
Last updated on July 2, 2009