Album Notes

Celeste Ray, a native of Los Angeles, began her musical studies at age six. Positively influenced by parents who played classical piano and flamenco guitar, Celeste's imagination was captivated by the piano early in life. As a teenager firmly trained in classical music, she began exploring contemporary composers Bill Evans, Oregon and Pat Metheny. Her current influences include Loreena McKennitt, Bill Whelan(Riverdance)and Enya.

Celeste is the founding member the "Four Celtic Voices" show also featuring Erin Hill. Managed by CMI Entertainment, Inc.,"Four Celtic Voices" performs regionally on the East Coast at Universities, Colleges and Performing Arts Centers. Recently the group sold out at the Egg Performing Arts Center in Albany.

Performing on the Double Bowed Psaltery was quoted by Los Angeles Times critic Josef Woodard as "ethereal and other-worldly..her voice is a warm and pleasant instrument".

Ray's diverse and eclectic background includes a tour of Australia for six months during 1997, where she was commissioned to compose a musical scheduled for national release. Her tour also included performances on the bowed psaltery for Australia's national radio station (ABC), and the Government House.

Ms. Ray's first internationally released CD, "Place With a View," features a lineup of impressive guest artists including Steve Kujala (Chick Corea) and Alex Acuna (Weather Report). Ms. Ray plays piano, handles all the writing, and introduces her unique vocal style, which impressed long time mentor Paul McCandless. "Celeste's melodic compositions, and especially her vocals, give the music a sound which is instantly identifiable..I am impressed!" said McCandless.

Paul McCandless is featured on "The Gateway," Celeste's second internationally released CD. Inspired by Arthurian and Celtic legends, "The Gateway" weaves mytho-poetic stories within a contemporary musical landscape. It creates an eclectic combination of rich Celtic tones and textures from traditional instruments such as flute, recorder, oboe and cello with the sound of world instruments such as dumbek, bohdran, and pennywhistles. Celeste Ray's dynamic compositions feature her lyric vocal styling along with impressive piano and psaltery arrangements and performances.

Celeste Ray's third album "Celtic Blessings," was made possible by a grant received from the Arts Alliance of Ventura County. "Celtic Blessings," inspired by ancient Celtic poems, reflects both original and traditional melodies illuminating the Celtic heart and soul. Her journeys throughout the UK and Ireland provided a wellspring of sacred sources for her imagination to draw upon. The Los Angeles Times describes her latest CD as "a sound at once fresh and other-worldly...her distinct calling card is her skill with the relatively obscure bowed psaltery and her voice is a warm and pleasant instrument."