Originally from the culturally rich Hudson River Valley of New York state, Singer/Songwriter/Multi-Instrumentalist Carolyn Cruso, makes her home now on the misty shores of Orcas Island in the Pacific Northwest. Her music is largely inspired by her travels both in the US and Europe, as well as her long connection to nature, and keen interest in the stories of people she meets out on the road. Traveling minstrels, seekers, divine misfits, glorious places, forgotten corners, the remaining pockets of beauty left in the wake of man’s progress. Wielding two guitars, a flute, a hammered dulcimer and her voice Cruso roams the back roads of the country and of the mind taking the listener on a journey of beauty, love, redemption, compassion and humor. Critics and audience members alike say the she weaves an intricate web of magic with her intelligent, lyrical, and soulful music.
Visit her web site at www.carolyncruso.com.
“Boundless highlights both Carolyn’s fluid playing style and the broad knowledge of Celtic music she brings to her compositions. A gorgeous listen throughout!”
~Sing Out! Magazine
“For the adventurous listener…Cruso’s voice has the ability to go from folk to jazz to late night and sultry blues without advertising the change…a lot more going on here than folk…a very fluid album”
~Frank Gutch, Folk Acoustic Music Exchange
From performing in Europe amongst musicians, jugglers, comedians, one-man bands, mimes, and contortionists, to traveling the circus like Renaissance Fair circuit, to recording and co-producing with Billy Oskay (founding member of the Windham Hill recording and touring ensemble Nightnoise and producer of many Windham Hill, Narada and Green Linnet recording projects), Carolyn Cruso has led a musically adventurous life. She has traveled the world moving audiences with her expressive voice, flute, guitar and hammered dulcimer talents.
This multi-instrumentalist moves gracefully between the various instruments she plays, taking you on a magical journey of storytelling, instrumental music and lyrical song. “With her sensational talent, variety of musical styles and instruments, and fascinating anecdotes, she gave the audience an unforgettable evening of wonderful music,” says Jerene Weitman, from the Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington, NY. Her show is a combination of instrumental and singer/songwriter pieces, drawing material from most of her eight albums including her most recent singer/songwriter release “Have You Ever,” which features fourteen songs spanning folk, pop, jazz and alt. country styles. Carolyn tours both regionally and nationally. She’s shared stages with and opened for a variety of artists such as Peter Mayer, Tom May, Pierce Pettis, Jim Page, Laura Kemp, Joanne Rand and Randal Bays. She recently released a Retrospective CD called "Migrations" compiled from four out of print albums she made with the late Robert Almblade between 1989 and 1995 of which one reviewer says,
“Shimmering orchestral driving world music... excellent” ~ Victory Music, Seattle, WA
A master of the hammered dulcimer, Carolyn is an innovator. She pushes the boundaries of the traditional approach while honoring the original spirit. Her style is improvisational, lyrical and percussive. She uses effects like bending notes and playing two notes with one hammer. She incorporates the independent hand technique of percussionists as well. “Through her hands the instrument became a living organism of beauty” says Charlie Vervalin of the Black Rose Acoustic Society. Her lyrics, spanning from poetic to narrative, explore love, loss and regeneration. She masterfully lays these over an intricate finger picking guitar style and open tunings, which allow her to find the rich voicing in the chords she hears. The Eugene weekly calls her music, “Intricate musical poetry…fine guitar work.” Cruso’s show like her music is timeless and transportive in nature. At present she is working on material for a new songwriter CD.
“Charming, delightful, foot-tapping grooves…Cruso hits the mark with beautifully lyrical pieces… technical wizardry and compositional prowess shine throughout.”
~Christy Moores, The Quarter Note, Seattle, WA
“Cruso’s voice is expressive and fluid…her guitar work is exceptional…this is passionate stuff”
~JW McClure, Victory Music Review, Seattle