Thomas "Doc" Grauzer

Artist Information

Biography

I am a harper and storyteller of the Irish tradition. I am fascinated with the traditional harp music of Ireland, Scotland and Wales. So I play whatever I feel like playing, generally without the assistance of the demon set list! I like to throw in a bit of historical background, folklore or some weird story between the tunes, because I think it's important to know the story of the music as well as the music itself.

From the moment I first touched an Irish harp in a South Austin pawn shop 21 years ago, I knew that this is what I am here to do.
In this 21st century, I think of myself as a link in a chain of musical and cultural tradition that goes back a thousand years or more.
To that end, I am also available to teach, for those interested in learning for themselves the beauty of Irish harp music.

Previous performance venues include:

With Cantiga and the New World Renaissance Band, Scarborough Faire, 2010
Mother’s Café and Garden, Austin, TX; 1997-Present)
Things Celtic, Austin, TX--numerous (2002-Present)
San Antonio Highland Games (2004, 2006-2008, 2011, 2012)
University of Kansas at Lawrence, Audiobook release of Dr. Stanley Lombardo's Iliad and Odyssey (2006)
Irish Culture Day, Irish Cultural Society of San Antonio (2005, 2007-present)
Council of the Magickal Arts Festivals, Dripping Springs and Flatonia, TX (1994-2002, 2005)
Austin Celtic Festival, Austin, TX (1998-2004, 2006-2012)
Dr. Stanley Lombardo, Hogg Auditorium, University of Texas at Austin, annual Greek Epic Poetry readings (2000-2001, 2003-2012)
The Dog and Duck Pub, St. Patrick's Day Celebration (1995-2003)
Bass Concert Hall, University of Texas at Austin, with The Chieftains, 2001 (finale)
Dragon Dance Festival, Elk Creek, MO (2001)
Dublin Irish Festival, Dublin, OH (1998)
Scarborough Faire, Waxahachie, TX (1997, 2010)
Jubilee College Olde English Faire, Peoria, IL (1997)
Great Lakes Medieval Faire, Rock Creek, OH (1997)
Michigan Renaissance Festival, Holly, MI (1997)
Texas Renaissance Festival, Plantersville, TX (1997)
Cavalier Dayes, Austin, TX (1997)
North Texas Irish Festival, Dallas, TX (1995)
Canterbury Faire, Austin, TX (1994-1996)

Instrumentation

Thomas "Doc" Grauzer--Irish harp, storytelling

Discography

Albums:

But You Don't Look Irish--2001
Infernal Harp Racket--2005

Official Website

http://www.docgrauzer.com

Audio

• Brian Boru's March
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• Gentle Maiden
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• Ar Hyd y Nos
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Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Catherine L. Tully [+ Show ]
  

  A recent reviewer, Catherine L. Tully, had this to say about my recent release, "Infernal Harp Racke...A recent reviewer, Catherine L. Tully, had this to say about my recent release, "Infernal Harp Racket!"
  
  
  "The harp music on this CD is peaceful enough to soothe even the most savage of beasts. This is truly a relaxing compilation of songs, and expertly played. While bad harp music can make you think along the lines of bad Christmas music, good harp music can lift your mood and settle your troubles down. Grauzer does just that with his gentle, musical touch.
  Historically, the harp has been associated most often with the aristocracy, but its otherworldly sound has given it a wide appeal over the years. Unlike the bagpipes, which can be an acquired taste for some, the harp has many admirers. Grauzer's CD is the perfect music to set the stage for unwinding from a difficult day or for a romantic candlelit dinner for two. The dreamy playing will transport you.
  Good musicians can make playing an instrument seem and sound easy, and that is the case with this CD. With the music of the harp solo, with nothing else to distract one's ear, you wouldn't miss it if the musicianship was off. Luckily, this is not ever a concern on this effort, and Grauzer plays effortlessly throughout the songs, a testament to his skill. If you like the harp, don't miss this CD.

Setlist

Composed by Turlough O'Carolan:

Lady Athenry
Blind Mary
George Brabazon, First Air
George Brabazon, Second Air
Maggie Brown's Favourite
Carolan's Farewell to Music
Carolan's Quarrel with the Landlady
Carolan's Receipt for Drinking
Carolan's Welcome
Charles Coote
The Clergy's Lamentation
Madame Cole
John O' Connor
Maurice O' Connor
Bridget Cruise, First Air
Fanny Poer/ Colonel John Irwin
Lady Gethin
Loftus Jones
Lord Inchiquin
Morgan Magan
Eleanor Plunkett
Fairy Court Set (The Fairy Queen/King of the Fairies)
Fanny Poer
Henry MacDermott Roe
Miss MacDermott, or the Princess Royal
Sidhe Beag, Sidhe Mor
Squire Woods' Lamentation on the Refusal of his Halfpence

Airs:
Amhrán na bhFían (National anthem of Ireland)
An Chúilfhionn
An Fáinne Geal an Lá (Dawning of the Day)
Ar Hyd y Nos (All Through the Night)
Ashokan Farewell
Bonny Portmore
The Crested Hen
The Fairy's Love Song
Farewell to Whiskey
Flight of the Earls/An Fáth mo Bhurthas (The Cause of my Sorrows)
The Foggy Dew
For Ireland I'd Not Tell Her Name
Four Green Fields
Gartan Mother's Lullaby
An Geanna Fíain (The Wild Geese)
An Ghaoth Aneas (Southwind)
Lark in the Clear Air
Marbhna na Luimnech (Lament for Limerick)
The Minstrel Boy
Mist Covered Mountains
A Nation Once Again
Only Our Rivers Run Free
Rhywbeth/Pob-peth (Something/Everything)
Sir John Fenwick, Flo'er Amongst Them A'
Song for Ireland
Suo Gan
Tabhair Domh do Lamh (Give Me Your Hand)
West Clare Set (Inisheer/Aran Boat Song/Cliffs of Moher/Road to Lisdoonvarna)

Hornpipes:
King of the Fairies
Off to California
Rights of Man/Pride of Petravore

Jigs:
Blackthorn Stick/Merrily Kissed the Quaker's Wife
Lark in the Morning
Maid at the Spinning Wheel/Gander in the Pratie Hole/Blarney Pilgrim
Haste to the Wedding/Off She Goes
Three Sea Captains/Out on the Ocean
Christmas Eve
Leslie's March
When the Cock Crows, It's Day

Marches:
March of the King of Laois

Reels:
An Caiseal Ceallaigh (Castle Kelly)
Music for a Found Harmonium
Oíche Nollaig (Christmas Eve)
St. Anne's Reel/Dick Gossip's/Maid Behind the Bar
Sally Gardens/The Bean Sidhe
Silver Spear/Whiskey Before Breakfast

Slip Jigs:
The Butterfly
Drops of Brandy
A Fig for a Kiss
Snowy Path/Foxhunter's Jig
St. Patrick's Day

Waltzes:
Gentle Maiden
Metal Man Waltz
Star of the County Down

Basic Requirements

Calendar