I fell in love with harp as a young child, and since then I have devoted 25 years to studying this beautiful instrument.
Since moving to Bristol at the age of 19, I have been fully shaped and inspired by the city's diverse culture. I have soaked up Bristol's rich music life - jazz, dub, electronic, experimental, folk. I studied with a master Kora player and developed a unique style fusing fiery West African rhythms with rich classical and jazz harmonies. I have worked with refugees, forest schools, farms, storytellers, children's TV, experimental poets, rock bands, theatre projects, circus performers, yoga teachers and sound therapists - all of this has brought huge diversity and a fresh, unusual sound to my music. Music is my life; when not playing the harp I am playing bass guitar or the alto flute or the Zimbabwean Mbira.
As well as weddings and parties, my regular work these days includes playing in hospitals, care homes, community projects, schools, and evening gigs. Its important to me to bring the harp into unusual places and I always like to encourage audience members to have a go at playing it after I've finished performing. I hope more and more people can access music and enjoy being creative in some way.
The Songlist here is a brief selection of music in my current repertoire; I may be able to learn something else specifically for you, let's have a conversation about what music you love and we can craft a set list together. I specialise in playing well-known Jazz, Folk, Rock and Modern songs, as well as knowing a few famous classical pieces and composing my own music. In my own music I am particularly inspired by West-African Kora music. I am flexible, and can arrange a set in the style you're looking for at your event.
I am a composer, teacher of music theory and proficient session musician, meaning I can make personal arrangements of your own song choices and advise you on the musical content for your event.
I collaborate with various other artists:
For example, vocalist Freya Widdicombe; together we're known as Cat's Eye Moon, singing a range of styles: jazz, blues, folk, modern, and willing to take requests.
I work with Klezma-Violin-Extraordinaire and Composer Ben Mowat, playing our own lively arrangements of well-known tunes.
I write original music with double bassist Joe Evans: neo-classical, blues-inspired, very emotive and unusual music. Our album is on Spotify, we are Written on Water, Like Dewdrops, Like Diamonds.
I'm based in Worcestershire and Bristol now, my partner lives on a farm near Evesham and Pershore, and my studio is in Bristol. So I move around a lot, very happy to travel to you.
Based in Bristol, Bristol
= areas covered (up to 500 miles)
= free travel (up to 5 miles)
Music Selection (I'm happy to learn other tunes, this just gives you a flavour of what I already know):
Jazz classics (Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole etc)
Ain’t misbehavin'
All Of Me
All the things you are
Autumn Leaves
Body and Soul
Caravan
Dream A Little Dream
Girl From Ipenima
Goodbye Porkpie Hat
In a sentimental mood
It’s only a paper moon
Let there be love
Lullaby of Birdland
Misty
Moon river
My Blue Heaven
My favourite things
My Way
Nature Boy
Nobody knows you when youre down and out
Satin Doll
Sunny
There Will Never Be Another You
Unforgettable
What a wonderful world
Other classic Jazz tunes
Ain't That a Kick in the Head
Black Coffee
Black Orpheus
Blue Bossa
Blue in Green
Bluesette
Blues for Alice
Bye bye Baby
Byrd Like
Crystal Silence
Gentle Rain
In a Sentimental Mood
Manoir de mes Reves (Django's Castle)
Moon and Sand
Moonlight Becomes You
Naima
Paper Doll
While We're Young
Wild Flower
Wives and Lovers
50's
Bring Me Sunshine
If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked A Cake
Folk Classics
Ain’t no grave
All My Trials
Beeswing
I'd Rather Be Tending My Sheep
King of the Fairies
Si Baeg Si Mhor
Sing Ivy
Let no man steel your thyme
Long Time Travelling
May Song
My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean
Poor Wayfaring Strange
Raggle Taggle Gypseys
Scarboro Fayre
The Falcon
The Farmer's Toast
The Lark in the Morning
The Moon Shines Bright
The Parting Glass
The Wexford Lullerby
The wondering rover
Way-faring Stranger
When I was in my prime
Spiritual
Let Your Little Light Shine
When I Went Down To The River To Prey
60s Folk
She'll Be Comin' Round The Mountain (Pete Seeger's version!)
Streets of London – Ralph McTell
The Fields Of Athenry – The Dubliners
Feeling Good - Nina Simone
I Put a Spell on you
My Baby Just Cares For Me
I Wish I Knew How It Felt To Be Free
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
Lilac Wine
Just Like A Woman
Mr Bojangles
Love Me or Leave Me
Like a Rollin' Stone - Bob Dylan
Blowin' in the Wind
Don't Think Twice, Its Alright
Shelter From the Storm
Lay Lady Lay
Mr Tamborine Man
Simple Twist of Fate
70s Folk
Court and Spark - Joni Mitchell
A Case of You
Big Hello Taxi
Blue
Both Sides Now
California
Come in from the cold
Little Green
Woodstock
River Man – Nick Drake
Day is Done
From The Morning
Northern Sky
Pink Moon
Road
Three Hours
All My Trials
My Song – Labbi Siffre
Cannock Chase
It Must Be Love
Lullaby
Love Oh Love Oh Love
Ceildh Tunes
King of the Fairies
Mairi's Wedding
John Ryan's Polka
Irish Washer Woman
From The New Country
The Blackthorn Stick
Drowsey Maggie
Wind that shakes the barley
Farewell to Walley Range
Peacock and the Hen
Butterfly
The Striking Clock
Foxhunter's Jig
Blarney Pilgrim
Banish Misfortune
The Dusty Windowsills
Red Haired Boy
Old Joe Clark
Cripple Creek
The Gay Gordons
Atholl Highlanders
Balley Desmond Polkas
Flowers of Edinburgh
Whisky Before Breakfast
Sea Shanties
A Sailor Ain't A Sailor
Blow The Man Down
Cornwall My Home
Fisherman's Blues
Haul Away Joe
Keep Hauling
Jamaica Farewell
John Kanaka
No Hopers, Jokers and Rogues
Santiana
Shanty Man
Sloop John B
The Bonnie Ship The Diamond
The Coast of High Barbary
Union of Different Kinds
Wellerman
Whip Jamboree
Early Rock 'n Roll
Can't Helop Falling In Love
You Are My Sunshine
60s Rock
I'm a Believer – The Monkees
A hard days night – The Beetles
All you need is love
Blackbird
Can’t buy me love
Eight days a week
From me to you
Here comes the sun
I feel fine
I want to hold your hand
I want you
Love me do
Michelle
Something
She loves you
When I’m 64
Yesterday
Imagine – John Lennon
Alone Again Or - Love
A House In Not A Motel
Andmoreagain
70s Rock
Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen
Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton
You look wonderful tonight
Dancing Barefoot – Patti Smith
Put Your Lights on - Santana
Smooth
Maria, Maria
Black Magic Woman
Brown-Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
Moondance
80s Rock
Sultans of Swing – Dire Straits
Romeo and Juliet
Shape of my heart - Sting
Fields of Gold
Lady in Red – Chris de Burgh
Stand By Me
Art Rock
Wuthering Heights – Kate Bush
Army Dreamers
Babooshka
Hounds of Love
Kite
Running Up That Hill
The Man with the Child in his Heart
90s Rock
Grace – Jeff Buckley
Halleluia
Lilac Wine
Brit Pop
Champagne Supernova - Oasis
Don’t look back in anger
Live forever
Song bird
Supersonic
Wonderwall
Rockin' the Suburbs - Ben Folds
The Luckiest
Zak and Sara
Annie Waits
90s Indie/Alternative Folk
Piazza New York Catcher - Belle and Sebastian
Fox in the Snow
If She Wants Me
I'm a Cuckoo
American Folk
Between the Bars - Elliot Smith
Angeles
Needle in the HayBallad of Big Nothing
Everything Means Nothing To Me
Miss Misery
I Didn't Understand
Trip Hop
Tear Drop – Massive Attack
One Love
Be thankful for what you've got
Dance/Electronic
After the rain – Little Dragon
Twice
Where You Belong
Ritual Union
Wildfire
American Folk
Why we build the wall - Anais Mitchell
Wilderland
Young Man In America
Dyin Day
Venus
Annmarie
Shepherd
Mockingbird
Hymn 101 – Joe Pug
R&B/Soul
Brother Where Are You? - Oscar Brown Jr
Disney
Bear Necessities
Colours of the Wind
Hakuna Matata
You've Got a Friend In Me
Mains power, although I can run off batteries if need be
I can bring my own PA, and one small up-facing stage light
Will the harp need lifting up any steps/onto a stage? If so I'll need support from someone to lift the harp
Yes, Spotify. Happy to create an appropriate playlist or receive one from the client
I've devised a street-theatre-pirate-show, and toured it nationally as part of Rural Touring. We went into deep Wales, Cumbria, Devon, the Black Country, Central London, Bristol, providing lively interactive shows, free at the point of access. Funded by the Arts Council, and inclusive for parents as well as children, I am massively proud of this show. Footage can be found as one of the pinned reels on my instagram (@emmytheharp):
https://www.instagram.com/p/CwTagghsoz6/
Yes, but full shelter is necessary if there is any hint of rain as the harp can't get at all wet.
Flat ground also necessary as the harp needs to be fully stable.
Absolutely, I'll happily take requests. I love to find out what music clients love so that we craft a set of music which will make everyone very happy...
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