To be honest, it’s hard to imagine the audience for this event. Rocksters with a soft-spot for stringed instruments? Classical fans who secretly wear leather pants?
Still, it’s intriguing. Grammy-nominated Deborah Henson-Conant gets called the “Jimi Hendrix of the harp” by none other than Steve Vai. This video gives evidence of that:
The New York Times says she’s “reshaping the serenely Olympian harp into a jazz instrument by warping it closer to the blues.” This video shows what they mean:
Her bio says this:
“Unlike artists who focus on a specific style of music, Deborah Henson-Conant’s music ranges from blues to flamenco, unified by her relentless exploration of the custom-built instrument that was invented specifically for her.
She creates shows that combine music, humor and theater, with a voice that’s been compared to Carly Simon and stories that harp on the good things in life.”
Her show is on Sunday, Jan. 15, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25.
The Altamont Theatre on Church Street downtown is a lovely venue and its owners are bringing in an interesting mix of shows, from fiddlers to harpists to jazz bands to stand-up comedians. The venue backed off on early attempts to produce professional musical theatre, and has switched its format to something that may end up being more palatable to local audiences. Check out the lineup and maybe you’ll find something unusually you.
