Album Notes

**This cd is now also available on digital download sites such as iTunes! Search under Ellery Klein to find the cd!**

"Stay in front of the power curve by getting hip to Ellery Klein. This New York-based fiddle star is one of the newest and brightest stars in the firmament...Salt and Pepper is a stunning debut."
- IRISH AMERICAN NEWS

"...simply arranged, warm and tuneful collection of fiddle tunes, featuring a mix of seldom-heard reels, jigs, hornpipes and slow airs from Ireland and Scotland and a few originals. The emphasis seems to be on melody rather than flash, and the result is another very pleasant fiddle disc."
- DIRTY LINEN

"Ellery is an excellent fiddler. Her style is very optimistic, full of sensitivity and hardly simple. She walks well the balance...between classical and traditional folk fiddling; likewise Salt & Pepper treads between 'traditional' and 'progressive...'"
-JUDITH GENNETT, GREEN MAN REVIEW

Ellery Klein's fiddling encompasses both old-style traditional Irish playing and high-energy music flavored with an American sound. She always aims to share her love of music with audiences, who enjoy her great energy and skillful, energetic yet delicate playing.

From 2003 to 2007, Ellery toured nationwide full-time with Gaelic Storm, whose albums have consistently reached #2 on Billboard world music charts. She is featured on the Gaelic Storm recordings, "How Are We Getting Home?" and "Bring Yer Wellies;" as well as their live DVD "Gaelic Storm: Live in Chicago!"

Ellery's first solo project, "Salt & Pepper," was recorded in Ireland in 2001. She was earning an MA in Traditional Irish Music Performance at the University of Limerick, Ireland that year. In the middle of a fantastic year filled with talented musicians, tunes and a little Guinness, she knew she couldn't leave Ireland without recording a CD. The album features a mix of Irish, Scottish and Cape Breton tunes, as well as several of Ellery's compositions.

Ellery toured the U.S. with fellow Limerick graduates, Irish banjo player Olive Brennan and Scottish pianist James Ross, in 2001 and 2002. Their fresh, innovative approach to traditional music was very well received. Ellery has appeared several times in singer Cathie Ryan's band. Her fiddling can be heard on the soundtrack of the documentary "The Golden Age of NASCAR." Previously, she lived in Vermont, where she was a founding member of Celtic Rock bands Whisky Before Breakfast and jighead.

Salt & Pepper Guest Musicians:
Olive Brennan, Ireland: banjo
Tommy Carew, Ireland: guitar
Ian Carr, England: guitar
Sandra Joyce, Ireland: bodhran
Eileen Mize, USA: step dancing
Brian Morrissey, Ireland: percussion
Eoin O'Neill, Ireland: bouzouki
Micheal O Suilleabhain, Ireland: piano
Katie Pritt, USA: cello
Nicole Rabata, USA: flute
James Ross, Scotland: piano
Rob Stein, USA: guitar

"The afternoon's top draw [Cincinnati Celtic Festival] was the tunes...A treat was Ellery Klein & Thri Nua. Led by Ms. Klein, the trio shifted between their new... compositions and versions of traditional reels fueled by Olive Brennan's banjo..it all fit."
-CINCINNATI ENQUIRER