"Every now and then you want something that is just background music. It doesn't get much more background than a harp. This harpist, Deborah Henson-Conant, is also a jazz musician. It sounds odd, but it works. These songs, a dozen in total, all have Deborah on the harp. Producer Mark Egan plays both fretted and unfretted bass as appropriate. Again, this is perfect for that background music when you have people over for dinner or practicing that ancient ritual of talking to each other." (Amazon)
"One of the finest (and one of the very few) jazz harpists in the world, Deborah Henson-Conant combines storytelling and vocals in her entertaining show. She played piano from age ten, and started doubling on harp when she was 13. It became her main instrument while in college and, although classically trained, she also enjoyed improvising. In 1982, she began seriously playing jazz and the following year started amplifying her harp. In 1989, Henson-Conant was signed to GRP and she recorded three well-received recordings. She went on to tour the world, and record for Laika (a European company) and her own White Cat company. One of that rare breed known as jazz harpists, Henson-Conant is an underrated player and gifted composer. She doesn't have her full talents tested here because this set alternates between more expansive and ambitious jazz-based tunes and lighter adult contemporary and pop instrumental fare. But hearing harp in a lead role is interesting, no matter the context." (Allmusic)
"One of the finest (and one of the very few) jazz harpists in the world, Deborah Henson-Conant combines storytelling and vocals in her entertaining show. She played piano from age ten, and started doubling on harp when she was 13. It became her main instrument while in college and, although classically trained, she also enjoyed improvising. In 1982, she began seriously playing jazz and the following year started amplifying her harp. In 1989, Henson-Conant was signed to GRP and she recorded three well-received recordings. "Budapest" is a mix of funky grooves, folk melodies, world music mood pieces and exuberant jams. Henson-Conant's harp (and occasional voice) shines through the ensembles. The backup crew includes Mark Johnson's tenor and soprano, the co-leaders of Special EFX (guitarist Chieli Minucci and percussionist George Jinda) and bassist Victor Bailey. This atmospheric music, which was actually recorded in Budapest, is one of Henson-Conant's stronger efforts." (Allmusic)
Deborah Henson-Conant (Stockton, 11 november 1953) is een Amerikaanse harpiste en componiste, die bekendstaat om haar flamboyante podium-optredens en innovatie met de elektrische harp. Ze beschrijft zichzelf op haar website als cross-genre: "jazz-pop-comedy-folk-blues-flamenco-keltisch". Henson-Conant componeert goed in het gehoor liggende songs en begeleidt zichzelf op de harp. De teksten hebben soms een verhalend element.
