Masters of the Celtic Harp in Concert

MASTERS OF THE CELTIC HARP AT the Tualatin Heritage Center Two of the foremost harp players from Ireland and Scotland, touring as The Masters of the Celtic Harp, are performing at the Tualatin Heritage Center on Friday, May 9, 2014. Gráinne Hambly, http://grainnehambly.com/, from County Mayo and William Jackson, http://www.harpagency.com/artist1.htm, from Glasgow will present ''Two Sides of Celtic'', a multi-faceted concert featuring their dynamic blend of two harp styles as well as their complimentary talents on concertina, tin whistle and bouzouki. Workshops on Celtic Harp starting at1pm, reservations required http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/591640. Concert starting at 7:30pm http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/565241 With demanding solo careers that often have them performing on different continents, Gráinne Hambly and William Jackson are in the US for a brief spring tour and are routed through Tualatin for one show only. On this tour they are promoting their CD, ''The Music of Ireland and Scotland.'' Gráinne Hambly has been touring extensively throughout the United States for the past fifteen years and has been at the forefront of promoting a newer, exciting brand of Irish harp playing. Her light, and lightning quick, renditions of traditional Irish dance music have become hallmarks of this style. Hailing from County Mayo, Ms. Hambly has toured all over Europe and Japan and done festivals in Israel and Brazil as well. She released her third, eagerly awaited CD, ''The Thorn Tree,'' in 2006 which has received critical acclaim. The Irish Echo, the leading Irish newspaper in America, said ''the tidal pull of the brisk tempo she sets is breathtaking.'' Indeed. She has two other landmark CDs, ''Between the Showers'' and ''Golden Lights and Green Shadows'' which set the standard to which American harp players aspire in playing Irish music. The noted Irish musicologist, Dr. Mícheal Ó Súilleabháin, at the Irish World Music Centre in Limerick has said