Harp Column Blogs: Brandee YoungerArchive

It seems like forever since I’ve posted –I have been out of touch.
Now, summer is half over already and most of the weeks have been harp-filled with performances, teaching, rehearsals and recording. While teaching at the Elyrica Harp & Flute Camp in Darien, CT, I’m taking this time away from playing the harp to reflect on the past few months, and look forward.

This winter, I took a trip along with harpist Megan Sesma, to Guatemala as part of the Guatemala Harp Project. We brought over supplies and music and worked extensively with the harp instructors and students at the National Conservatory of Music in Guatemala City and El Sitio Cultural Center in Antigua. Please write me if you'd like to learn more details about this trip. What a rewarding experience!

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[soundcheck/rehearsal]
This summer has been eventful as well. I was honored to play two sold-out sets at the Bluenote Jazz Club with the legendary Jack Dejohnette, Ravi Coltrane & Kenny Davis. The night was to benefit Jazz Reach, an organization dedicated to teaching jazz through live performance, multi-media educational programs and informative clinics and master-classes for student musicians and ensembles. We played compositions by Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Alice Coltrane and Jack Dejohnette. We also played an arrangement of Michael Jackson’s hit “Human Nature” that Ravi Coltrane made for quartet. (photo credit, Doug Kim)                

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That brings me to the event that still has me in shock, some 4 weeks later: The death of Michael Jackson. It’s difficult to even say those words! He was a true talent with a strong purpose on this earth! Here’s one of my favorites. Michael Jackson singing the standard," All the Things You Are"

It seems everyone is performing MJ now. I’m just waiting to see some harp arrangements pop up!

:-)

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