Artist description VIVIAN QUINN SAYLES comes from California, and it was there that her music emerged from two lifelong sources: her love for jazz, and her family’s Celtic heritage. Her affinity with jazz found its realization in her first CD, entitled VQS, a collection of original compositions recorded at Yoshi’s Jazz Nitespot.Responding to her Celtic heritage, Vivian made several visits to Ireland and Scotland. There she heard Celtic music played in the lands of its origin. Thus arose the dawn of a new vision.Inspired by the two music traditions, Vivian blended jazz and Celtic into one, unified expression. This new style of music combines improvisation, which lies at the heart of jazz, withCeltic melodies and harmonies that provide the core and texture of the compositions.Vivian calls her new music California Celtic.

Music Style A innovative blend of celtic, jazz and chamber textures.

Musical Influences Battlefield Band, Thelonius Monk, John Whelan, Charlie Parker, Charlie Haden, Enya, Beatles

Group Members VIVIAN QUINN SAYLES, piano; MATT EAKLE, flutist, has toured internationally with the David Grisman Quintet. He also performs and records with a great variety of other ensembles. In the jazz, folk, and rock worlds, for example, Matt has played with Stephane Grappelli, Arlo Guthrie, and Jerry Garcia; JEREMY COHEN performs and records as a violin soloist in numerous concert and studio settings. He has performed at the Concord Jazz Festival and with the Los Angeles Modern String Orchestra. Jeremy has also been concert master for Ray Charles, Melissa Manchester and John Williams; MAUREEN BRENNAN plays the Irish harp in a variety of styles, ranging from early classical to contemporary. She has appeared at SF Performances at Six and at the Lick Summer Series. She was a founding member of Paradise Lost, an ensemble featuring Celtic music. Maureen is also included in the world acclaimed Harpestry collection; MARK SUMMER plays cello with, and is a founding member of, the Turtle Island String Quartet. He has appeared with the Oakland Symphony and the Chamber Symphony of San Francisco. Playing in the jazz style, Mark has performed with Billy Taylor, Tuck and Patti, and The Manhattan Transfer; DAVIS RAMEY played guitar with jazz greats George Shearing and Earl Hines. His classical credits include performances with the San Francisco Symphony, Ballet, and Opera Orchestras. Davis has also played for Gregory Hines, Shirley MacLaine, and Mark Isham.

Instruments Flute, violin, cello, harp, piano, penny whistle

Albums California Celtic; VQS - Live

Additional Info The 8-song version of California Celtic is available here on MP3.com - see above - and contains a BONUS track not available on the full-length CD. The full-length 13-song CD with a 6-page booklet is now available at CDBaby.com.

Location San Francisco, CA - USA

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