Tuesday, January 25, 2011

The Mandolin Harp

The instrument which I have been calling the fretless zither is also called the mandolin harp. I don't know which name is more prevalent, but I think I prefer calling it a harp since it sounds more like that instrument than a traditional zither. The beauty of playing such a rarely touched upon instrument is that you can call it whatever you want!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Show with Harry Belafonte

Hi-
I am playing a set with Colleen Kattau at the Syracuse Stage. This is a Harry Belafonte concert, though he does mostly spoken word and not singing now (he is rather old). Here is a link to his wikipedia entry:
Harry Belafonte
And an article regarding the concert:
Syracuse Concert

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Zither joined by Guitar

My most recent composition with many, many steel strings at the tips of my fingers.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

the band I'm in

Just so you all know, I play in Colleen Kattau's band. We are named simply "Some Guys" by Colleen. Members of the group can vary from show to show, but lately it's been Jamie Yaman on sax, Mike Brandt on bass, and me playing lead guitar. Colleen is a long-time activist and free spirit with a spectacular voice. Come check a show. We've been lighting up the stage lately.