Inwood Coffeehouse starts its eighth season of
great music and performance with
Karen Ashbrook and Paul Oorts
Belgian, Celtic & French folk music from the cultural crossroads of Europe
With her delicate touch, trademark shimmering lilt and ear for authentic ornamentation, Karen Ashbrook is considered one of the finest Irish hammered dulcimer players anywhere. Add her wooden flute and pennywhistle playing, and you have the consummate Irish musician. Irish reviewer John O'Regan calls her recordings "Celtic music for the mind and body."
Paul Oorts is an exceptionally versatile musician and scholar, well versed in Flemish, Walloon, French and Celtic traditions. His playing and accompaniment draws from world music rhythms - driving, exotic and syncopated. A native of Halle (Zoersel) in Belgium, Oorts' musical education took place in the pubs, cafes and coffee houses of Belgium. He is an accomplished string player who excels on mandolin, cittern, classical and steel string guitars, and musette accordion.
Karen and Paul play an exciting blend of instruments coupled with a repertoire based in Irish music and also drawn from Oorts' native Flemish and French music, contradance and classical repertoire
Watch Karen and Paul on YouTube performing at the 5th Annual Harp-Guitar Gathering - 2007
Karen appears on over a dozen recordings including the highly aclaimed recording Celtic Cafe. Find out lots more about Karen and Paul at www.KarenAshbrook.com