Emmy the Harp

I fell in love with harp as a young child, and since then I have devoted 25 years to studying this beautiful instrument. Since moving to Bristol at the age of 19, I have been fully shaped and inspired by the city's diverse culture. I have soaked up Bristol's rich music life - jazz, dub, electronic, experimental, folk. I studied with a master Kora player and developed a unique style fusing fiery West African rhythms with rich classical and jazz harmonies. I have worked with refugees, forest schools, farms, storytellers, children's TV, experimental poets, rock bands, theatre projects, circus performers, yoga teachers and sound therapists - all of this has brought huge diversity and a fresh, unusual sound to my music. Music is my life; when not playing the harp I am playing bass guitar or the alto flute or the Zimbabwean Mbira. Here is a brief selection of music in my current repertoire; anything not here I may be able to learn for you, just ask. I specialise in playing well-known Jazz, Folk, Rock and Modern songs, as well as knowing a few famous classical pieces and composing my own music. In my own music I am particularly inspired by West-African Kora music. I am flexible, and can arrange a set in the style you're looking for at your event. I am a composer, teacher of music theory and proficient session musician, meaning I can make personal arrangements of your own song choices and advise you on the musical content for your event. I collaborate with various other artists: For example, vocalist Freya Widdicombe; together we're known as Cat's Eye Moon, singing a range of styles: jazz, blues, folk, modern, and willing to take requests. I work with Klezma-Violin-Extraordinaire and Composer Ben Mowat, playing our own lively arrangements of well-known tunes. I write original music with double bassist Joe Evans: neo-classical, blues-inspired, very emotive and unusual music.