Artist description Singer and bodhrán player Christa Burch's flexible, expressive voice is fresh, powerful, and instantly recognizable. In the tradition of great singers such as June Tabor, Susan McKeown, and the late Sandy Denny, Christa marries an extraordinary gift for storytelling to intuitive musicianship, bringing vividly to life the meanings and messages of the great songs of the Celtic tradition. At the forefront of a vibrant new generation of American folk singers, Christa has lent her distinctive voice to many West Coast projects, working with keepers of the tradition such as Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser, as well as the finest Celtic artists on the West Coast, who lend their talents to her debut solo CD: guitarists Steve Baughman, Peter Damashek, and Lyn Davies; flautists James Hamilton, Jack Gilder, and Frank Simpson; fiddlers Martin Hayes, Melanie Nolley, and Dawn McConnell; mandolinists Marla Fibisch and Rob Sinclair; banjo player Dave Corey; and percussionists Steve Forman, Greg Taylor, and Devin Caswell, to name but a few. In addition to her solo career, Christa sings for bands TamLyn and Lintie.

Music Style Celtic vocals, drumming and flutes

Musical Influences Susan McKeown, June Tabor, Sandy Denny, Sheena Wellington, Niamh Parsons, Cathie Jordan, Mary Dillon, Kate Rusby, Maddy Prior

Similar Artists Susan McKeown, June Tabor, Kate Rusby, Sandy Denny, Maddy Prior, Sheena Wellington, Niamh Parsons

Artist History Christa grew up roving about Europe, an experience which left her with permanent wanderlust, a love of Things Old, and an uncanny ability to quickly adapt and integrate into new and strange cultures. This proved useful when her family relocated to Southern California, where she graduated and became an archaeologist, moving from dig to dig. About this time, a friend loaned her a Silly Wizard album; it so captured and fired her musical imagination that when she began planning a ‘Round-the-World trip, Scotland was her first destination… and she never got any farther! She immersed herself in music and culture, floating from festival to festival and pub to pub, throughout Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, reveling in late-night jam sessions and all-night song circles. Addicted, she made repeat trips back to Scotland and Ireland to feed both her musical and archaeological appetites. Returning from a walkabout, she began hunting for Celtic musicians and singers in California. This passion led to performances at coffee shops, pubs, folk circles, and local music/art/multicultural festivals, at which she has met many of her heroes and joined them onstage for impromptu collaborations! Whether opening for the Saw Doctors, or playing alongside local stalwarts such as The Fenians, Christa’s performances generate enthusiastic audiences and an ever-widening fan base. Christa sings, plays the bodhrán, guitar, whistles, and flute, and intends to tackle the fiddle some day soon. She also sings with Kim Hughes as the duet Lintie, and the band TamLyn, in addition to numerous side-projects in Southern California.

Group Members Christa Burch - vocals, bodhran, whistles, flute

Instruments Vocals, bodhran, whistles, flute, guitar, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, bouzouki, bass, cello

Albums Solo Flight

Location Irvine, CA - USA

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