Loreena McKennitt, Metallica, Carol Tatum of Angels of Venice, U2, Dixie Chicks
Sounds Like
...a medieval harpsichord... the hammered dulcimer derives from the ancient Persian instrument, the santur, which came about during the era of Jesus Christ. It probably was brought back to England about 1000 years ago during one of the failed English Christian Crusades perhaps led by King Richard the Lionhearted. Taking years to trek back from losing a war, the santur evolved into the hammered dulcimer having been retuned in an diatonic scale much like a Celtic Harp. Celtic music has become the primary genre of the instrument due to its liveliness, simple scales, and history.
The instrument later was mechanized to become what we fondly know of the harpsichord, which later evolved into the modern-day piano.
Born in Delaware and raised in Maryland, Scott Williams took up the hammered dulcimer in college after a spontaneous purchase of one at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. A few months later, he was playing Christmas carols for the family church Christmas Eve service.
With Celtic, colonial, medieval, rock, and Renaissance influences, Scott has developed a repertoire of songs on the hammered dulcimer which he now performs at Downtown Disney, corporate events, private parties, street and Renaissance festivals, and shopping malls throughout Orange County, Central California, Las Vegas, and San Diego. His medieval renditions of Metallica are always a head-turning event at festivals, and an album titled 'Dulcitallica' consisting of 100% Metallica songs will be available in Summer 2009.
As a multi-instrumentalist, Scott plays and records the majority of what he calls his "backing tracks." These tracks are studio mixes of guitars, cello, bass, drums, mountain dulcimer, mandolins, and synthesizers to create the foundation of his music. He then performs live with the hammered dulcimer to combine the sounds for a presentation of what sounds like a full ensemble.
Scott has four studio albums, The Burning of the Piper's Hut (American folk / colonial), The Road to Lisdoonvarna (Celtic), Home for the Holidays (Christmas), and Tristan of the Western Sea (massage / yoga / meditation).
Since the hammered dulcimer is such an unusual instrument, people are very drawn to it. Children, especially, find it mesmerizing. "It's perhaps the best part of this adventure," Scott says, "…watching the expressions on children's faces, talking to them, and the best is letting them play the dulcimer. There are always several that leave an impact on me whenever I play. It's very heartfelt and magical."
YES I CANT WAIT TO GO TO DE FAIRE AND THE ALBUM TRISTAN OF THE WESTERN SEA WAS REALLY AMASING KIND OF MELANCHOLY STUFF I LIKE THAT AND IT SOUNDS GOOD STAIR WAY TO HEAVEN CANT WAIT TO HEAR IT KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AMIGO MIO SEE YOU SOON
Hi Scott - Just to let you know that Eric refuses to listen to anything but your music before going to bed. Well, we all find your music soothing of course. Have a great weekend!
Great seeing you last time at Downtown Disney. Enjoyed your music again as usual. I just want to dance to your music everytime I hear it. I have a question Can u get your cds at any music place like Borders or Best Buy? Let me know cause I want to get a cd of yours. I should of got it that night but Keith wanted to get home and so did I.
Hey Scott :) Thanks for the add! You're right, the Irish Fair was a great festival, it was my second time going. :) I'm looking forward to watching you perform again...perhaps at Downtown Disney at the end of this month. Take care, and have a great week. :) -Erika glitter-graphics. com
Thanks for playing "Happy Birthday" for me at Downtown Disney! What an awesome day! It was great to see you Scott and hopefully we can hangout sometime soon.
Hey, I saw you preform down in Anaheim not too long ago and I just wanted to say you sounded amazing. I bought your CD and now I listen to it all the time. Haha.. thanks so much.
i saw you perform for the first time live at downtown disney last nite and i was very impressed !! you and your insturment are amazing !! you are turly gifted . thank you .
Hey, Scott! I enjoyed listening to your music this weekend at the RenFair. You were awesome. Scott gave me one of your CDs to listen to. I'm going to let my parents listen to your music. See you at the other RenFairs. Keep in touch. -Tina (Scott Yacono's girlfriend)
Just dropping by to say HI. Hope all is well in your corner of the world:) I sooooooooooooooooo enjoy listening to your music... it is soooooooooooo calming to my soul.
