Artist description Jesse Autumn is a freelancing musician, harp teacher and recording artist. In addition to vocals and piano, she plays the rare double-strung folk harp. Jesse is on the board of the Community Music School of Santa Cruz, a non-profit organization with an emphasis in traditional music.

Music Style Celtic Folk

Similar Artists Altan, Solas, Coulter-Phillips Ensemble

Artist History Jesse Autumn began playing Celtic harp at the age of fourteen in 1996. Under the wing of early music advocate Shelley Phillips (also founder of the Community Music School), she quickly became fluent on folk harp and was soon performing regularly in Santa Cruz County. With the help of several musician friends of varying ages and musical backgrounds, a debut fundraiser concert in 1998 allowed Jesse a trip to Ireland to experience Celtic culture first-hand. Upon her return, Jesse continued to perform in concerts and as a musician for hire, and soon began teaching harp as well. She attended music theory classes at Cabrillo College and started performing with her former harp teacher, Shelley. While working as a counselor at the Community Music School's Celtic summer camps, Jesse formed friendships with other young musicians and began playing with them on a regular basis. In 2001 she recieved a Youth Grant from the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz to direct a concert of local teenage musicians. The concert was a success, and one year later Jesse recieved a Next Generation Grant from the California Arts Council to lead a CD project featuring musicians aged 18-25. As well as performing on 14 of the 16 tracks, she arranged the music, wrote extensive liner notes, and co-produced the album with producer/composer/cellist Barry Phillips. The CD, titled California Celt, was released in June 2002 to a sold-out concert crowd. The following August, Jesse retreated again to Ireland, staying for a month with an Irish singer in Dingle, County Kerry. Now back in her home town, Jesse continues to delight audiences around the Monterey Bay area with her unique style of harp playing, an angelic voice and her talents as an arranger. She plans to release a solo harp album in 2003.

Group Members Jesse Autumn - double strung harp, vocals, piano; David Brewer - smallpipes, tin whistle; George Grasso - Irish flute, guitar; William Coulter - guitar; Barry Phillips - cello; Shelley Phillips - harp and percussion; Annie Swanson - Cape Breton piano; Devin Shepherd, Emily Swanson, Daniel Roberts and Linnaea Wilson - fiddles.

Instruments Double-strung harp, flute, fiddle, guitar, vocals, cello, piano, tin whistle, smallpipes and bodhran.

Albums California Celt

Additional Info Check out other Community Music School releases at www.communitymusicschool.org

Location Santa Cruz, CA - USA

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