I’m Deborah Henson-Conant, Grammy-nominated harpist, singer, songwriter, composer, author, cartoonist, entertainer and comedian...among other things. Music, for me, is a way to tell a story and no story, in my mind, is complete without its music. I did the jazz thing in the late 80s and since then I established my own performance genre that mixes Latin Jazz, Celtic, Blues, Flamenco, Folk-Pop and Spoken Word. I hear that people have fun at my shows. I hear that they never look at the harp the same way again. I hear they’re inspired by whatever it is that I do on stage, which I haven’t quite figured out the language for yet. Basically, I write and perform one-woman shows. Sometimes I perform them by myself at small music venues and comedy joints. Sometimes I perform them with a full symphony orchestras in giant concert halls...and this one time I put it all on DVD! The Grammy-nominated "Invention & Alchemy," MY NEW DVD & CD with Conductor David Lockington and the Grand Rapids Symphony is AVAILABLE NOW AT MY WEBSITE--where you’ll also find my tour schedule, publicity materials, project info, stories, cartoons and other goodies. "Invention & Alchemy" debuted on PBS stations nationwide throughout 2007 and early 2008
BUY THE DVD, buy CDs and sheet music, read about upcoming shows, see cartoons, delve into my Diary, learn about all the up-to-date news, and MORE at:
"I am seldom moved to tears by a music DVD, but this one did it--repeatedly! Deborah Henson-Conant is beyond talented--she’s a living whirlwind of energy and musicality. She plays harp like an angel--and like the baddest heavy metal guitarist you ever saw. She sings like an angel too. And her orchestrations....well, as a symphony musician let me say that her orchestral colorations over the entire spectrum of musical genres is utterly astounding. She could orchestrate Broadway shows. If you thing a harp concert is dull and fussy....boy are you going to be SURPRISED! It’s hot, it’s sexy, it’s incredibly moving, and it BOOGIES! Yes--rock harp! And it’s also very funny in spots. You’ll never look at a symphony orchestra the same way again after "The Danger Zone." In short, this DVD is fun, hip, funky, deep, medatative, very meaningful....and a damn good evening’s entertainment for even your fav punk rocker!" (David M. Ice, AZ)
"I am positively BLOWN AWAY by "Invention and Alchemy". I Love It! In every way. Absolutely Five Stars! I was hooked from the opening logo. The performance is meticulous and wonderfully paced. Deborah looks fantastic and her voice is truly stunning. "Way You Are Blues" blues-d me away. The Garbageman was such a wonderful coda to the evening. Video production was stunning with judicious use of the jib boom and great lighting. All the extras - yes, I watched them all, it’s been a quiet week - were great fun. I think what made it so great was that this wonderful presentation and work of art looks almost spontaneous. But the control of every little detail is what makes it jump out and shout. My fave: not a dry eye in this house with "Congratulations." How Deborah wove in that sense of humanity and warmth which we’re all missing these days (and, yes, aging which we’re not) was sheer brilliance. Thank you, Deborah, for the gift of the DVD and CD. But more, thank you for the gift of you." (Dan Beach, FL)
Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk, Grand Rapids Press - July 12, 2006:
"DVD/CD Sees Symphony, ’Hip Harpist’ at Quirky Best"
**** DeVos Performance Hall has never looked so good. "Invention and Alchemy," featuring "Hip Harpist" Deborah Henson-Conant and the Grand Rapids Symphony, brings it all to a Barcalounger near you. The harpist, singer, storyteller, actor, composer and arranger appeared here in November to make the live DVD and CD. This is a first-class, first-rate production with nine-camera, high-definition video, and 5.1 surround sound, all produced by Jonathan Wyner, Henson-Conant’s partner. The audio is vibrant, and the visuals pop. The quirky tunes and comical tales are by the dynamic, irrepressible Henson-Conant, who does for the folk harp what Andres Segovia, Les Paul and Jimi Hendrix did for the guitar. Some tracks are new, many are familiar locally. Taken together, they display the range of an artist who plays like an angel, belts the blues, dances a little flamenco and sings lovely ballads with a Celtic lilt. The only thing longer, more colorful and more creative than her hair ribbons is her artistic range. Conductor and cellist David Lockington is a maniacal mad scientist and a dashing and debonair, cello-playing sultan. The Grand Rapids Symphony -- at one point all dressed in lab coats for a rocking number, "Danger Zone" -- is very generously depicted in the DVD. David Gross enjoys a thrilling exchange for the unlikely duo of harp and timpani on a number that begins, even more improbably, with the traditional tune "Catcher in the Rye." Percussionists Bill Vits and David Hall get to bang cans as musical garbagemen. The CD, with 17 tracks and 77 minutes of music, is a couple of tunes and one story shorter than the 97-minute DVD, which includes a feature film and onscreen links that take you to 12 interactive video portals behind the scenes. Pick up a copy from the symphony office or from Schuler Books and Music. Grand Rapids philanthropist Peter Wege bankrolled the project, explaining Henson-Conant and the Grand Rapids Symphony deserved wider recognition. With "Invention and Alchemy" as their calling card, they should get it.
Hello my friend. I would like to invite you to check out my new poem called "I Am a Storm". Just click the picture below and the storm will take you to my blog. Thank you, -byron
A lot of things happened since last time we talked... we are recording our first album and planning our tour... but first i want to invite you to check out my new web where you can find some samples of the songs.
I will upload the new songs to myspace soon and updating the tour dates
Dear Deborah,
Thank you for your friendship!
What a unique talent and style you have! What fun!
I'm sending you my video postcard. It features God's beautiful creation in Washington State.
My hope for you and all my friends and loved ones is that this week will be the best ever. I hope and pray that if any of us are to endure hard times, we will be given the strength to carry on with dignity and the wisdom to make the right decisions.
I am convinced we are meant to live with joy and happiness and I pray that peace, joy and happiness will permeate our very being, allowing us to live in comfort of body, mind and heart.
I hope each of you will find your step a little lighter today while relying on the hope that lives within you!! GOD BLESS YOU FREIND WITH LOVE PEACE JOY WISDOM AND STRENGTH,-WAYNE- DEAR FREINDS PLEASE SIGN MY GUETBOOK ON MY PROFILE. I WANT TO KNOW YOU ALL BETTER, THANKS.
Como si fuera una Amazonas Contemporánea, Su sensual figura, agresiva, romántica, virtuosa… Emerge desde la gracia y la belleza de su hermosa Arpa Celtica Eléctrica Azul, sus atuendos de cuero Y su sonrisa única y chispeante… Rompiendo las estructuras típicas de lo mundano y común… Como una Reina del Escenario, con fuerza femenina Y absurda… esta hermosa mujer nos regala en cada melodía… Un viaje… Impregnado de ritmo, encanto… sensibilidad y elocuencia. Deborah Henson Conant..s… La ARPISTA entre las arpistas… Talento puro… exactitud y gracia en cada pasaje, Su arpa canta como el Ruiseñor a la Luna… Recordando momentos, lugares, personas… O una simple fabula de una Princesa Rana… Deborah Henson Conant..s… La ARPISTA entre las arpistas… La ARTISTA entre las arpistas… --------------- Te Adoro! ---------------------- From for Deborah Henson Conant..s www. athydetrasdelarpista. blogspot. com WITH LOVE and ADMIRATION. ---------------- Lots of Love, Athy :)
