Music
Press
"...the harp in this context is simply exciting."
"...lyrical imagery is sophisticated yet relatable, music combines a lot of stylistic elements, and does so in a way that sounds edgy and contemporary."
"...incredibly distinctive vocal approach."
"Superb!" - TAXI
"...flaunts harp convention with a sassy assuredness."
"Her music deftly blends jazz, pop, folk and rock with mesmerizing effectiveness, with forays into techno and even bossa nova further blurring the boundaries of tradition."
"That she flirts with subjects seemingly incongruous with the harp's refined stereotype a one-night stand, for instance, in the Latin-inflected "Hi," and older men who hit on young women on the unreleased but frequently performed "Rewriting the Alphabet" displays a boldness that she is happily cultivating."
- The Intelligencer
"...the type of musician you can only dare to dream exists"
"...a driven professional, a tough negotiator, an independent spirit, an intellectual calculator, and an innovator par excellence. She is a harpist/singer/songwriter who is brining the harp into the 21st century with honest songs of delight, hardship, vulnerability, and good times"
"...the 19-year-old multicultural, multifaceted, multitalented, beautiful young woman is real." - Ticket Magazine
Discography
EP "To an Unwitting Muse" 2005
radio singles: The Surface, Mr. Houdini
"Serpentine" 2007
Photos
Bio
Gillian Grassie (say: Jillian Grass-y) is a contemporary harpist/singer-songwriter whose music blends jazz, folk, rock, and Latin influences under smart, accessible lyricism and a smoky soprano.
Her clever songwriting is supported by extensive classical training in both harp and voice. Gillian's interpretations of traditional Scottish harp repertoire earned her first place prizes in five competitions and an invitation to perform at the Edinburgh International Harp Festival in 2001. In her youth, she sang with both national and regional ACDA honors choirs in such prestigious venues as Heinz Hall, Symphony Hall, and The National Cathedral.
Gillian's debut, independent EP To An Unwitting Muse, released in June 2005, sold out of its original pressing and helped her cross over onto radio territory, getting airplay on WXPN and making the top 10 in Q102's "Have a Great Gig" contest. She is currently in the studio working on her first full length effort, Serpentine, slated for release October 26th, 2007.
In addition to performing her own music, Gillian is a member of the Brandywine Celtic Harp Orchestra, a fifteen-piece harp ensemble, as well as the Oberon Orchestra, an eleven-piece melodic rock orchestra. She has composed original music for theatrical productions and maintains her career as a freelance harpist.
For more bio, photos, and audio, visit: www.gilliangrassie.com
www.myspace.com/harppower
Links
