The OCEAN Celtic Quartet play music packed with pure pan-Celtic pizzazz, putting their unique spin on traditional songs and Cutting’s original compositions, from soaring ballads and stirring sea chanteys to blazing fiddle and accordion tunes. The group has won over 25 Washington Area Music Awards, a #3 spot on the national Folk DJ Charts, and a triumphant appearance on NPR’s “Mountain Stage.” They have a history of sold-out concerts at such venues as The Birchmere and The Kennedy Center.
Fairport Convention’s Simon Nicol says they “get right inside the spirit of the folk music of the British Isles,” Steeleye Span’s Maddy Prior calls their songwriting “stunning,” and the Washington Post calls them "Nothing short of spellbinding."
The OCEAN Celtic Quartet is led by composer and ethnomusicologist JENNIFER CUTTING (accordion and keyboards), a Washington Area Music Association “Musician of the Year” and “Songwriter of the Year.” OCEAN features the stunning vocalist CHRISTINE NOYES (formerly of the maritime music group Crab Alley), folklorist/vocalist/percussionist STEPHEN WINICK, and U.S. National Scottish Fiddle champion SEÁN HEELY. OCEAN is known for getting audiences up on their feet to dance to their electrifying Jigs and Reels; and, in the next moment, raising goosebumps with their soaring vocals and otherworldly Celtic beauty. Add a penchant for deep research and scholarship, and a great sense of humor, and you have a band that will captivate all ages.
There's nothing else like it...OCEAN is Celtic Music for Ancient Moderns!
Newest Album: The Turning Year: Pandemic Sessions Unplugged
NEWS FLASH
"The Birth of Robin Hood" and "Planxty Drew/Planxty Wilkinson/Wreath the Bowl" also made the Top 20.
The CD came in at #3 overall--but who begrudges coming after Robert Plant and Alison Krauss?
Jennifer in The Living Tradition
Jennifer and OCEAN are featured in the UK magazine The Living Tradition, Issue 125
Get your copy at the link on the picture!
OCEAN on Mountain Stage! Photo by Andrew Carroll of the Augusta Heritage Center.
OCEAN has once again been selected by the Maryland State Arts Council to be on their official MARYLAND TOURING ARTISTS ROSTER! That means, if you're a qualifying 501c3 non-profit organization in Maryland, you can apply for grant money to assist with expenses in presenting OCEAN! More info at www.msac.org
You can now enjoy learning and playing Jennifer's songs yourself, by visiting the new Sheet Music Store on this website. It includes the lead sheets for oft-requested Cutting originals such as "Green Man," "Steady As You Go," "Song of Solstice," and "Light the Winter's Dark." More titles will be added in the days to come! To purchase, just click on the "BUY SHEET MUSIC" link above.