Dee Carstensen is a New York City-based alternative music singer-songwriter and

harpist The harp is a stringed musical instrument that has a number of individual strings running at an angle to its soundboard; the strings are plucked with the fingers. Harps can be made and played in various ways, standing or sitting, and in orc ...

Career

Carstensen's singing and songwriting talents were discovered by vibist

Mike Mainieri Michael T. Mainieri Jr. (born July 4, 1938) is an American vibraphonist, known for his work with the jazz fusion group Steps Ahead. He is married to the singer-songwriter and harpist Dee Carstensen. Biography Mainieri was born in The Bronx, Ne ...

, with whom she is married. Her debut album ''Beloved One'', released in 1993, included guitar work by

Mark Knopfler Mark Freuder Knopfler (born 12 August 1949) is a British singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. Born in Scotland and raised in England, he was the lead guitarist, singer and songwriter of the rock band Dire Straits. He pursued a s ...

Dire Straits Dire Straits were a British rock band formed in London in 1977 by Mark Knopfler (lead vocals and lead guitar), David Knopfler (rhythm guitar and backing vocals), John Illsley (bass guitar and backing vocals) and Pick Withers (drums and percuss ...

. Her second album, ''Regarding the Soul'' (1995), integrated her singing, songwriting and harp-playing. ''The Map'' (1998) was a collaboration with Mainieri. Their first child, Ruby Anna, was born on November 19, 2000. Dee also recorded a children's album, ''Can You Hear Lullaby'' (2001), which featured guest vocals Everett Bradley, Curtis King and Julie Dansky and instrumental work by her husband. Dee went back into the studio and recorded a solo album, ''Patch of Blue'', which was released in 2005. Unlike previous work, all eight songs were originals, except ''Fly Away'' whose music was co-written with her husband, who played vibraphone on the album. ''Patch of Blue'' did not include any guitar work. Instead, it featured Dee's harp and vocals, with backing from the Tosca String Quartet and several woodwind players.

Impact on harp music

Dee was the first pop singer to participate in the

Lyon & Healy Lyon & Healy Harps, Inc. is an American musical instrument manufacturer based in Chicago, Illinois and is a subsidiary of Salvi Harps. Today best known for concert harps, the company's Chicago headquarters and manufacturing facility contains a ...

Jazz and Pop Harp Festival (1999), sharing the stage with jazz harpists Park Stickney and

Deborah Henson-Conant Deborah Henson-Conant (born November 11, 1953 in Stockton, California) is an American harpist and composer. Nicknamed "the Hip Harpist", she is known for her flamboyant stage presence and her innovation with electric harps. Career Deborah Hens ...

. Dee plays a Lyon & Healy electric harp in her recordings and live performances. Her incorporation of

harp The harp is a stringed musical instrument that has a number of individual strings running at an angle to its soundboard; the strings are plucked with the fingers. Harps can be made and played in various ways, standing or sitting, and in orche ...

in singer-songwriter and pop music also influenced the new generation of young singer-songwriter-harpists, such as

Joanna Newsom Joanna Newsom (born January 18, 1982) is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Born and raised in Northern California, Newsom was classically trained on the harp in her youth and began her musical career as a keyboardist in the San Francisc ...

and Habiba Doorenbos.

Discography

*''Beloved One'' (NYC Records, 1993) *''Regarding The Soul'' (Exit Nine/Universal Music, 1995) *''The Map'' (Exit Nine/Universal Music, 1998) *''Home Away From Home'' (Live Album, Exit Nine/Universal Music, 1999) *''Patch of Blue'' (Exit Nine/Universal Music, Released in November 2005) * Other music: Sci-fi series '' VR-5, Episode 6.'' The music was created by composer John Frizzell. Dee Carstensen and Eileen Frizzell provided the vocals in the opening theme. See VR-5 entry.

External links

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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Carstensen, Dee American pop musicians Living people Musicians from New York (state) American harpists Year of birth missing (living people)