Deborah Henson-Conant

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Deborah Henson-Conant
Born (1953-11-11) November 11, 1953
Stockton, California
Genres cross-genre
Occupations musician
Instruments harp
Years active -present
Associated acts Story of Light Band
Website Official website
Deborah Henson-Conant on Facebook
Deborah Henson-Conant on Twitter
Notable instruments
DHC Bluelight electric harp[1]

Deborah Henson-Conant (b. Stockton, California, November 11, 1953) is an American harpist and composer, known for her flamboyant stage presence and her innovation with electric harps.[1]

She describes herself on her website as "cross-genre: jazz-pop-comedy-folk-blues-flamenco-celtic". Deborah performs one-person shows in theaters, concert halls and festivals. She also performs her original music/theatre shows with symphony orchestras. Her performances mix music with theatrical and story elements. She orchestrates all her own music when she plays with symphony and often engages symphonic musicians in unexpected ways.

The soundtrack of her 2006 DVD release, Invention & Alchemy received a Grammy nomination, and the video version began broadcast on American public television in 2007.[2] Her performance series Inviting Invention (2006) presented a series of "performance explorations" that included both musical and non-musical guests collaborating onstage with Henson-Conant.

The Story of Light album cover

In 2012, she joined Steve Vai's band for his 2012 tour and album, The Story of Light.[3][4][5]

As you know, a lot of my music is compositional, and there's a lot of arpeggiated guitar parts. They work really well on the harp, especially since it's an electric harp and you can process it. Deborah does a really great job with that, adding those textures. ... I've studied it very precisely. I can't play it, but I understand it. What Deborah has is a little different because she has a strap-on harp with a particular range.

— Steve Vai[4]

Henson-Conant now lives in Arlington, Massachusetts.

Discography

Albums

  • The Story of Light (2012)
  • Invention and Alchemy (2006)
  • Artists Proof Ltd Edition Version 2.1 (2004)
  • The Frog Princess (2000)
  • The Celtic Album (1998)
  • Altered Ego (1998)
  • Just For You (1995)
  • The Gift (1995)
  • 'Round the Corner (1993)
  • Naked Music (1994)
  • Budapest (1992)
  • Talking Hands (1991)
  • Caught in the Act (1990)
  • On The Rise (1989)
  • Songs My Mother Sang (1985)

Compilation appearances

  • New Age Music & New Sounds Vol. 67 - "Liberty"

Videography

  • Invention and Alchemy (2006)

Critical reception

  • "Hip Harpist Deborah Henson-Conant Defies Categorization and Transforms Ancient Instrument", 2007 review[6]
  • "Deborah Henson-Conant brings harp show like none other to Longview"[7]
  • "Who is Deborah Henson-Conant and What’s She Doing to That Harp!?"[8]
  • "Q&A with Legendary Electric-Rock Harpist: Deborah Henson-Conant", 2012 interview with The Berklee Groove[9]
  • "Deborah Henson-Conant brings harp show like none other to Longview"[10]

Instruments

Henson-Conant plays electric harps of various kinds, but primarily plays Camac Harps.[11] The Camac DHC Light Blue electric harp was named after Deborah.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "DHC Bluelight". Camac. Retrieved April 11, 2013. 
  2. ↑ "Hip harpist returns to Maine roots". Lewiston/Auburn, Maine: Sun Journal. June 23, 2007. Retrieved April 13, 2013. 
  3. ↑ "Review: Steve Vai – The Story Of Light". Guitarnoize.com. July 5, 2012. "The harpist is Deborah Henson-Conant and will be touring as part of Vai’s band supporting the release of this album later this year." 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Bosso, Joe (October 1, 2012). "Interview: Steve Vai talks about The Story Of Light live show". 
  5. ↑ Henson-Conant, Deborah (May 3, 2012). "I’m Gonna be in a Rock Band!". Retrieved April 11, 2013. 
  6. ↑ "Hip Harpist Deborah Henson-Conant Defies Categorization and Transforms Ancient Instrument". Boston: PR Newswire. May 3, 2007. 
  7. ↑ "Deborah Henson-Conant brings harp show like none other to Longview". February 15, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2013. 
  8. ↑ "Who is Deborah Henson-Conant and What’s She Doing to That Harp!?". The Daily News. Retrieved April 13, 2013. 
  9. ↑ Henson-Conant, Deborah (December 14, 2012). Q&A with Legendary Electric-Rock Harpist: Deborah Henson-Conant. Interview with Caleb Hsu. The Berklee Groove.
  10. ↑ Paulu, Tom (February 15, 2012). "Deborah Henson-Conant brings harp show like none other to Longview". The Daily News. Retrieved May 29, 2013. 
  11. ↑ Henson-Conant, Deborah. Deborah Henson-Conant Interview. Interview with Smitty. Jazz Monthly. Jazz Monthly Feature Interview. http://jazzmonthly.com/artist_ag/conant_deborah/interviews/conant_interview_02.html. Retrieved April 13, 2013.

External links

Authority control
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