WIND HARP
WINDHARP is a folk group based in Rhode Island which has been performing music of the British Isles and the Celtic countries for over 33 years.
Each member's unique musical background contributes to the band's novel sound, with the concentration on intricate vocal arrangements accompanied by traditional Celtic instruments, although many of the songs are performed unaccompanied.
CD Recordings
Available at concerts
John Bean
John's warm lead vocals and gifted guitar playing have become the backbone of the group's lyrical style. The experience and passion John feels for his music is evident in the soulful ballads he performs with the group.
Katy Roth
Katy brings strong vocals and skilled flute and whistle playing to the arrangements. When not performing with Windharp, Katy plays baroque flute in various ensembles locally and worldwide.
Cathy Jacques
Cathy, along with her tender vocals, is the group's pecussionist. Her main instrument is the Irish bodhran though she occasionally adds guitar and whistle. She has contributed her own original works, with their fanciful lyrics and haunting melodies.
Bob Coletta
Bob contributes his skills on harp, mandolin, and guitar as well as background vocals. As a cofounder of Windharp, he is responsible for many of the group's musical arrangements.
Song Samples
Windharp perform traditional and contemporary Celtic music in addition to some of their own Celtic influenced compositions. Additionally, the group performs a set of English and Celtic Christmas songs for the winter holiday season.
WINDHARP at Linden Place, Bristol, Rhode Island
FAIRY TALE - by Cathy Jacques © 1994
THE TEMPEST - by John Bean © 1990
GIGS
Gazebo at Mystic Village, Mystic, CT
Olde Mistick Village, Mystic, CT
Linden Place, Bristol, RI
Common Fence Point, Portsmouth RI
Warren Baptist Church, Warren RI
-Sunday, Oct. 20,2024 - Noon
In 1985, Bob Coletta, long interested in British folk/rock groups got together with friend and bandmate David Key along with Cathy Jacques and Kevin Sullivan for weekly musical exchanges that gradually became the beginnings of the Windharp repertory. The sound, at the time, was folk-based with a Renaissance music influence. By 1987, after several gigs, Kevin left to pursue other interests and the remaining members played on as a trio for two more years.
The core of the group's sound-- strong vocal work augmented by harp, mandolin, guitar, wind instruments and bodhran expanded with the addition of John Bean in 1988, who brought his solid vocals and finger-picking guitar skills. In addition to the expanding instrumental diversity, the focus of the group's sonority was their a capella vocal arrangements. Richard Walton, a founding member of the Stone Soup Coffeehouse in Providence said, "You think of them as sort of having a medieval base to their music. It's very lovely. The harmonies are exquisite...these four walked in and sang at an Open Mic night, and we thought, "O My God, they're wonderful!"
After twelve years of playing together David left the band and was replaced by Katy Roth. Katy's strong soprano vocals have provided Windharp with a new sound that is fresh and crisp, while still retaining the blend that is unique to the group.
Together, Bob, Cathy, John and Katy combine their talents and their experiences in Windharp, sharing their songs with audiences of all ages. Their repertory encompasses music of Great Britain and the Celtic countries, including songs of the Christmas Holiday season from these lands. They continue to bring their music to concerts, coffeehouses, fairs and festivals throughout Southern New England
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Email questions and comments to: windharp33@gmail.com
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