Salina Unitarian Church Presents:
WHO: Carolyn Cruso – Singer/Songwriter/Multi-instrumentalist
WHAT: Folk, Americana and Celtic Inspired Acoustic Music
WHERE: Salina Unitarian Church, 901 Beatrice Ave, Salina
WHEN: Sunday, May 1st, 3pm, $10 suggested donation. Call 785-825-7847 for more information.
From performing in Europe amongst musicians, jugglers, comedians, one-man bands, mimes, and contortionists, to traveling the circus like Renaissance Fair circuit, to recording and co-producing with Billy Oskay (founding member of the Windham Hill recording and touring ensemble Nightnoise and producer of many Windham Hill, Narada and Green Linnet recording projects), Carolyn Cruso has led a musically adventurous life. She has traveled the world moving audiences with her expressive voice, flute, guitar and hammered dulcimer talents.
This multi-instrumentalist moves gracefully between the various instruments she plays, taking you on a magical journey of storytelling, instrumental music and lyrical song. “With her sensational talent, variety of musical styles and instruments, and fascinating anecdotes, she gave the audience an unforgettable evening of wonderful music,” says Jerene Weitman, from the Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington, NY. Her show is a combination of instrumental and singer/songwriter pieces, drawing material from most of her eight albums including her most recent singer/songwriter release “Have You Ever,” which features fourteen songs spanning folk, pop, jazz and alt. country styles. Carolyn tours both regionally and nationally. She’s shared stages with and opened for a variety of artists such as Peter Mayer, Tom May, Jan Krist, Pierce Pettis, Jim Page, Randal Bays, the Granary Girls, and Curtis and Loretta.
A master of the hammered dulcimer, Carolyn is an innovator. She pushes the boundaries of the traditional approach while honoring the original spirit. Her style is improvisational, lyrical and percussive. She uses effects like bending notes and playing two notes with one hammer. She incorporates the independent hand technique of percussionists as well. “Through her hands the instrument became a living organism of beauty” says Charlie Vervalin of the Black Rose Acoustic Society. Her songwriting ranges from poetic to narrative. Her lyrics, spanning from poetic to narrative, explore love, loss and regeneration. She masterfully lays these over an intricate finger picking guitar style and open tunings, which allow her to find the rich voicing in the chords she hears. The Eugene weekly calls her music, “Intricate musical poetry…fine guitar work.” Cruso’s show like her music is timeless and transportive in nature. At present she is working on a Retrospective recording of the early years (1989-1995).
www.carolyncruso.com