Celtic Mist

Maggie's Music Artists

Karen Ashbrook is a pioneer in the adaptation of the dazzling ornamentation and style of Irish music to the hammered dulcimer, as seen in her respected Oak Publications book on the subject. Her virtuosity is equally evident on pennywhistle and Irish wooden flute. Her recordings explore the lush contemporary feel of Irish music in Hills of Erin (MM207)and the upbeat spirit of a traditional pub session in Knock on the Door (MM212).

Robin Bullock, a virtuoso on guitar, cittern, mandolin and fiddle, is one of the most remarkable multi-instrumentalists of our time. His immersion in Irish, bluegrass and old-timey styles has propelled him towards his own sound: a uniquely Celtic American kind of roots music. Bullock tours and records with the John Whelan Band and Footworks Dance Ensemble. His solo albums on the Maggie's Music label are Between Earth and Sky (MM221) and Midnight Howl (MM213).

Ceoltoiri Celtic Ensemble with vocals by Connie McKenna brings to the Celtic New Age a haunting union of vibrating strings and mesmerizing flutes and vocals. Sue Richards provides her shimmering Celtic harp, Karen Ashbrook adds ringing hammered dulcimer and haunting Irish flute and pennywhistle, and Connie McKenna sings in Irish Gaelic in the ancient sean nos style. Ceoltoiri's recordings on the Maggie's Music label are Women of Ireland (MM218), Silver Apples of the Moon (MM202) and the instrumental Celtic Lace (MM203).

Al Petteway is one of America's leading acoustic guitarists, as noted in Acoustic Guitar Magazine's "30 Hot Guitarists" in 1998. His style is smooth, sweet and completely his own - an artful synthesis of Celtic sounds and American themes and drive. He has won awards from the Washington Area Music Association for "Best New Age," "Best Contemporary" and "Best Celtic" instrumentalist. His recordings are Midsummer Moon (MM210), Whispering Stones (MM206), The Waters and the Wild (MM205) and A Scottish Christmas (MM215).

Sue Richards The evocative power of the Celtic harp has no greater genius than Sue Richards. The U.S. folk magazine Dirty Linen called her "one of America's brightest stars." She is the four-time U.S. National Scottish Harp Champion and has won equal fame for her masterful recordings of Irish music. A member of Ceoltoiri Celtic Ensemble and Ensemble Galilei, she can be heard on her solo recordings Hazel Grove (MM211), Morning Aire (MM204) and Grey-Eyed Morn (MM201).

Bonnie Rideout leaped into the international limelight as the first American fiddler ever invited to perform the music of the Scottish Highlands at the prestigious Edinburgh International Festival. As three-time U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion, she has brought her unique balance of charismatic stagecraft and passionate scholarship to her Maggie's Music recordings which include Kindred Spirits (MM214), Celtic Circles (MM209), Soft May Morn (MM208) and the bestselling A Scottish Christmas (MM215).

Maggie Sansone brings a unique vision to the Celtic music she draws from her hammered dulcimer. It's a fusion of ancient sounds and modern sensibility, fueled by rich arrangements and innovative use of old and new instruments. Her award-winning early recording, Mist and Stone (MM106) brought her national attention in the New Age market, and set the tone for the success of the label she founded, Maggie's Music. Other recordings are Music in the Great Hall (MM107), Dance Upon the Shore (MM109) and a collection of holiday recordings including A Scottish Christmas with Bonnie Rideout and Al Petteway.