PATRICIA ALBERTI

The Ensemble’s music is a melding of sounds from diverse origins and different instruments. Eaton’s unique stringed instruments (lyraharp guitar, spiral clef, koto-harp guitar, lyre, 12 string, bow harp) combine with silver and indigenous flutes, pan pipes, six string violira, violin, electric guitar, native voice, and ethnic percussion from around the world to create rich impressionistic sonic tapestries.

William Eaton is a twice Grammy Nominee, acknowledged as one of the world’s great designers and builders of unique guitars, Eaton began playing stringed instruments when he was given a ukulele as a boy. As an apprentice to John Roberts, he built his first guitar in 1971 and co-founded the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery in Phoenix in 1975, where he continues as director of the school. An innovative artist, Eaton has composed for and performed with the Amadeus Trio, Nouveau West Chamber Orchestra, the Nebraska Chamber Orchestra and with his own group the William Eaton Ensemble. His recording career includes six collaborations with R. Carlos Nakai for Canyon Records, including two Grammy Nominated albums: Ancestral Voices and most recently, In A Distant Place with Nakai, Will Clipman and Tibetan Flutist Nawang Khechog. Separately, Eaton has released four recordings on the Canyon label with the William Eaton Ensemble’s, Where Rivers Meet, earning a Billboard Critic’s Choice.

Claudia Tulip Classically trained, jazz influenced and world music inspired, Claudia performs on silver and ethnic flutes. She has written for ensembles, dance companies, theatre and video and has performed at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Estes Park Folk Festival and on Good Morning America. Recording credits include her flute album Migrations and albums by William Eaton, Chris Spheeris, Sharon Burch and Ani Williams. Tulip studied the nationally renowned children’s music program, Music Together with founder Ken Guilmartin and now directs her own center, Music Together of Scottsdale.

Will Clipman A percussionist since the age of three, Will has mastered a vast arsenal of indigenous instruments from around the world in addition to the traditional drumset. His discography includes over fifty recordings, sixteen of them for Canyon Records. Will received a 2001 Grammy Nomination for In A Distant Place, his Canyon Records collaboration with R. Carlos Nakai, William Eaton and Nawang Khechog. In addition to his work with the William Eaton Ensemble, Will currently records, performs, and tours regionally, nationally, and internationally with the Nakai-Eaton-Clipman Trio, the R. Carlos Nakai Quartet, the Conrads, Desert Sea, and Cantrell & Will.

Allen Ames has performed with almost every musical group using the word Arizona, including: the Arizona Opera, Ballet, Pops and Jazz Orchestras, the Arizona Art Ensemble and of course the Arizona Roping Rangers. He has played with the Phoenix String Quartet and other ensembles and has participated in the Sedona Chamber Music and Telluride Bluegrass Festivals. His recording credits include albums by William Eaton, Sharon Burch, the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, R. Carlos Nakai, and others. Performances of his compositions have been sponsored by the Arizona Composers Forum and he is listed in Wenburgs Violin Makers of the United States.

Mary Redhouse of the Navajo tribe, is a versatile jazz vocalist, electric bassist, and Native flute player. She calls her exploratory vocal style “eco-spiritual” because it incorporates birdcalls, animal cries, multi-octave scat lines, and native chants. She was introduced to jazz in grade school by Beatrice Parker, a “beatnik” school librarian who played jazz albums while Mary shelved books. She has created music for documentaries and ballet companies. Mary is featured on Canyon records cds: NAKED IN EUREKA (William Eaton Ensemble) and URBAN INDIAN (Redhouse Family Jazz Band), ANCIENT FUTURE and BIG MEDICINE (R. Carlos Nakai Quartet). She also perfoms and records with jazz saxophonist Oliver Lake.