CELESTE RAY: with Celtic Legend Ensemble

Celeste Ray

with Celtic Legend Ensemble

© 2002 celeste ray music (634479077364) (format: CD-R)

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Celtic-Spanish/world music featuring the bowed harp (psaltery), vocals and harmonium - great grooves.

notes

Celeste Ray, a native of Los Angeles, began her musical studies at age six.

Celeste is the founding member of "The 4 Celtic Women Show" featuring Erin Hill, Carol Crittenden and Wendy Luck. Managed by CMI Entertainment, Inc., "The 4 Celtic Women Shows" performs regionally on the East Coast at Universities, Colleges and Performing Arts Centers.

Performing on the Double Bowed Psaltery was quoted by Los Angeles Times critic Josef Woodard as "ethereal and other-worldly..her voice is a warm and pleasant instrument".

Ray's diverse and eclectic background includes a tour of Australia for six months during 1997, where she was commissioned to compose a musical scheduled for national release. Her tour also included performances on the bowed psaltery for Australia's national radio station (ABC), and the Government House.

Ms. Ray's first internationally released CD, "Place With a View," features a lineup of impressive guest artists including Steve Kujala (Chick Corea) and Alex Acuna (Weather Report). Ms. Ray plays piano, handles all the writing, and introduces her unique vocal style, which impressed long time mentor Paul McCandless. "Celeste's melodic compositions, and especially her vocals, give the music a sound which is instantly identifiable..I am impressed!" said McCandless.

Paul McCandless is featured on "The Gateway," Celeste's second internationally released CD. Inspired by Arthurian and Celtic legends, "The Gateway" weaves mytho-poetic stories within a contemporary musical landscape. It creates an eclectic combination of rich Celtic tones and textures from traditional instruments such as flute, recorder, oboe and cello with the sound of world instruments such as dumbek, bohdran, and pennywhistles. Celeste Ray's dynamic compositions feature her lyric vocal styling along with impressive piano and psaltery arrangements and performances.

Celeste Ray's third album "Celtic Blessings," was made possible by a grant received from the Arts Alliance of Ventura County. "Celtic Blessings," inspired by ancient Celtic poems, reflects both original and traditional melodies illuminating the Celtic heart and soul. Her journeys throughout the UK and Ireland provided a wellspring of sacred sources for her imagination to draw upon. The Los Angeles Times describes her latest CD as "a sound at once fresh and other-worldly...her distinct calling card is her skill with the relatively obscure bowed psaltery and her voice is a warm and pleasant instrument."

Travels throughout Europe inspired Arthurian legendry/poetry and music to produce "The Gateway". Celeste Ray's piano performance, vocals and psaltery arrangements captivated long-time mentor, Paul McCandless, who expressed "Celeste's melodic compositions, and especially her vocals, give the music a sound which is instantly identifiable...I am impressed!"

Celeste has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City under the direction of John Rutter, the Governor of Queensland, Australia and international ABC radio.

Celeste Ray's recent CD, with "Celtic Legend Ensemble" inspired by travels to the Celtic Lands and ancient poetry - crosses many boundaries, from eastern Indian to classical and folk stylings.

Booking can be made through her website at www.celesteray.com

reviews

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  • Mysterious and charming...simply enchanting to the soul!
    author: Contessa

    There's more than a wee bit of faery magic in this music. Be transported into the timeless realm of your playful imagination on its rich melodies and soul stirring rhythms. Light a candle, some incense and float away!

  • Visionary composer Celeste Ray's music is divine!
    author: ON THE ROAD WITH JUDY!

    Celeste Rays enchantingly haunting sounds transport the listener to the magical regions of fairies, mystical lore and dreams of the spirit! So cuddle up to a warm cozy fire with someone you love, pour a glass of your favorite wine and let Celeste's music do the rest. It will!

  • Listen to the odd, alluring character as she plays the traditional tunes "Ten Pe
    author: Los Angeles Times

    One of Howard's distinct calling cards is her skill with the relatively obscure bowed psaltery. The most intriguing instrumental track, and also the least typical, is "Blessing of the Elements/E-Jam," a happy marriage of folk and Middle Eastern sounds.

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