Album Notes

Founded by violinist Chris Vitas and guitarist Fred Benedetti, Keltik Kharma started as a duo. Chris and Fred were known as the "MIDI Bros." performing a variety of styles of music including Celtic with MIDI instruments. After many years Chris & Fred went back to their roots with acoustic violin & guitar and started to play traditional Celtic music, but with some interesting differences-they would change meters (time feel) from 6/8 to 4/4, or 9/8 to 3/4. This was interesting for them and their audiences. The new CD Keltik Kharma is a departure from the traditional Celtic music that Chris & Fred play because 90% of it is original music. The tunes are written by outstanding musicians from the San Diego area that both Fred & Chris have known for many years. Group members: Chris Vitas (Violin); Fred Benedetti (Guitar); Richard Tibbitts (Pennywhistle, Flute, and Irish Flute); Jeff Pekarek (Bass); Duncan Moore (Drums & Percussion); Tony Karasek (Tablas & Tambura); Renata Bratt (Cello).
Some of the tunes from the CD, Loch Lavan Castle, As I Roved Out, and Keltik Kharma, were on the top 10 of Celtic music for over a month on MP3. Loch Lavan Castle, in fact was number one for most of the month of April, 2000.