Album Notes

Phil Passen is one of few musicians not only to play the hammered dulcimer, but also to sing while accompanying himself on the instrument. He is known for his driving, rhythmic style — energizing and soothing at the same time. His skills are captured on his CDs, \"Swinging on a Gate: Traditional American and Celtic Music\", and \"Cold Frosty Morning: Christmas and Winter Holiday Music\", both with guitarist Tom Conway. Phil played for 500 people at Border’s State Street store in Chicago for Maeve Binchy’s only U.S. autographing. He frequently performs for the Chicago Department of Aviation’s tourist programs at O’Hare Airport, where travelers often thank him for providing pleasure on a stressful day, and at the Green City Market. He also played in the World Symphony Orchestra’s performance of The Lord of the Rings Symphony at Chicago’s Auditorium Theater. He plays primarily old-time American music and traditional Irish music.

Phil was born in Toledo, Ohio; grew up in Monroe, Michigan and Toledo; and graduated from high school in Ashtabula, Ohio. He attended Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, before participating as a full-time activist in the antiwar and civil rights movement of the 1960’s and 70’s. He began playing the hammered dulcimer in 1994 and in 1996 left his work in the graphic arts industry to devote his time to music. A member of the American Federation of Musicians Chicago Local 10-208, the North American Folk and Dance Alliance, the Old Town School of Folk Music, and the Recording Academy, he lives in Chicago.