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Party in Beverly Hills
2007-03-10 05:49:00
I had the pleasure to perform last night for a champagne and hors d'oeuvres reception at Eddia, a store that specializes in men's clothing & accessories on Canon Drive in Beverly Hills . They had me set up in the store window...I've never been a window display before! There I was, in between the shirts and shoes. I did get some great entertainment of my own just watching the people on the street react to seeing a live harp player in the store window display! See, you can get all kinds of entertainment in Los Angeles...Very nice staff there; they really made the evening the success that it was. I met a very cool and talented photographer as well, as illustrated by this photo taken at the reception! Thanks Adam.Photo by Adam Latham Photography
Read more: Party , Beverly Hills

Harp Music...Amplified!
2007-02-20 03:32:00
How loud is the harp, you may ask? Harp music is generally loud enough to carry in most private homes, churches, and many public spaces. The harp on its own is never overpowering, which makes it perfect for background music.Can the harp be amplified if needed? Yes, my harp certainly can! I can be easily amplified either with my own portable amplifier or my harp is equipped to be plugged into most any existing PA system. I use a 1/4" instrument plug (aka, guitar plug or male plug) that goes directly into the harp. If there is an existing sound system at your venue that supports that type of plug, then I can easily plug directly into their sound system! Just ask your event coordinator, catering director on site, or DJ - they will be able to tell you what the venue has available for your use. A microphone can work also, though it's not going to be as efficient and it may not pick up the sound at all (it depends on the microphone, they're all different).The amplified harp sound still sta
Read more: Music

Outdoor Weddings & the Harp
2007-02-02 04:48:00
It's that time again...people are thinking about their Spring, Summer, and Fall weddings and events here in sunny Southern California. That can often bring us to the great outdoors! Harps are very sensitive instruments that require protection from the damaging outdoor elements.I know what you're thinking; you've probably seen a beautiful photo on one of those wedding location directories of a harp in an outdoor garden setting, out in the sunlight with no overhead covering. Well, that makes for a good picture to help sell the venue, but completely unrealistic in terms of the actual needs of the harp and the harp player!Harps are sensitive to the following:Direct sun - placing the harp in direct sunlight not only heats and dries out the wood, but it is hot enough to soften the glues in the instrument and weaken or destroy the joints.Extreme heat or cold - the harp will expand and contract with temperature or climate changes, causing the drying and cracking of woods, lacquers, and gl
Read more: Weddings

Wedding Music Selections
2007-01-26 04:52:00
Choosing music for your wedding can be a bit overwhelming when you don't know where to start. But I'm here to help! I have performed for literally hundreds of weddings, and for just about every type of service you can imagine: Catholic Mass, Christian, Greek Orthodox, Jewish, Non-Denominational, Persian, and Vow Renewals.Here are some suggested musical selections to get you started:Entrance of Bridal PartyCanon in D - PachelbelPrelude in C - BachJesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - BachBridal ProcessionBridal Chorus - WagnerCanon in D - PachelbelTrumpet Voluntary - ClarkeRecessionalTrumpet Voluntary - ClarkeOde To Joy - BeethovenSpring from Four Seasons - VivaldiTrumpet Tune - PurcellOf course, if you have a special song in mind, let me know! You can also check my website for audio samples of some of these selections, or for my complete repertoire list. Harp music is such a beautiful addition to any wedding!
Read more: Music

New Year with Harp Music...and Yoga
2007-01-05 20:32:00
Back in November, a very nice man named Ken contacted me. He wanted to surprise his wife Isabel on her 40th birthday (which happened to be on New Year 's Day) with harp music to wake up to, followed by a private yoga class in their home! Wow, what a great husband! I was very enthusiastic about the idea; I had never played for a yoga class before, and surprises are always fun…So, at 8:30AM on New Year's Day, Ken and I stealthily sneaked the harp into their living room. I started playing at 9AM. During my second piece, out of the corner of my eye I saw a head peek around the doorway (their 5-year old daughter). A few minutes later, I saw another head peek around the same doorway (Isabel), followed by hysterical laughter down the hallway. She was so surprised and absolutely thrilled! I continued to play while the family enjoyed their morning together. An hour later, the yoga instructor came. Isabel was treated to a one-on-one yoga class accompanied by live harp music! It was a bit
Read more: Music

Doubletree San Pedro Grand Opening
2006-12-17 05:44:00
On December 14 I performed at the Doubletree in San Pedro . Formerly the Marina Hotel, they have completely renovated the hotel and had their grand opening celebration under their new name. It's a beautiful hotel just right along the Marina. Their Grand Opening was definitely a success judging from the large crowd that showed up!I didn't get to sample the incredible looking appetizers floating around, darn! But when the valet brought my car around front, she smiled and handed me a shiny Christmas-y bag. Inside the bag was a tin of chocolate chip cookies! Yum...


Tony Bennett DVD now available!
2006-11-22 04:28:00
I was fortunate enough to work with Tony Bennett twice this year: once in concert at the Kodak Theater in June, and for the filming of Tony Bennett : An American Classic in August. Talk about an experience I will never forget, meeting and working with Tony at the Kodak show was amazing! He was so gracious, laid back, and always smiling. I got a little choked up when he sang "I Left My Heart in San Francisco", just hearing those classic songs and being a part of it all...As you can see by the photo, I got to meet Stevie Wonder after the filming of Tony Bennett: An American Classic. He was amazing. Here's a little behind-the-scenes story:There are always lots of filming breaks while they re-set all the cameras. During the long filming breaks, Stevie was quietly playing his harmonica. The guitarist and piano player were getting bored and they started quietly playing a jazz chart. Stevie was several yards away from them in the middle of the stage, but he was listening in and started playin
Read more: available

Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder - For Once In My Life
2007-03-23 04:28:00
A fond look back...Here's a clip from "Tony Bennett : An American Classic", released on DVD in November 2006. Look for the harpist in the background to the right of Stevie ; it's a bit dark but that's me! This song recently won a Grammy Award...
Read more: Tony Bennett

My NEW Blog!
2007-05-02 05:15:00
My blog has been moved!Please visit www.carlabray.com/blog so you won't miss any new entries...


Wedding in Santa Monica
2007-05-21 11:37:24
I performed last night for a wedding and cocktail hour at the Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica . I had never been there before; what a beautiful venue! The wedding was held in a very large banquet room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean. I performed in a trio consisting of violin, cello, and harp. This is an unusual combination, but very effective! It’s always fun to play music with friends… Thinking of a duo or trio for your wedding music? Harp music is beautiful on its own, but harp also sounds amazing when paired with flute or violin, or in a trio with flute, violin, and/or cello. All combinations with these instruments are possible! Contact me for more information about forming the perfect musical ensemble for your wedding or special event. Photo: Carla Bray - harp, Alisha Bauer - cello, Lisa Weinstein - violin
Read more: Santa Monica

Harp Music…Amplified!
2007-05-14 18:04:21
How loud is the harp, you may ask? Harp music is generally loud enough to carry in most private homes, churches, and many public spaces. The harp on its own is never overpowering, which makes it perfect for background music. Can the harp be amplified if needed? Yes, my harp certainly can! I can be easily amplified either with my own portable amplifier or my harp is equipped to be plugged into most any existing PA system. I use a 1/4″ instrument plug (aka, guitar plug or male plug) that goes directly into the harp. If there is an existing sound system at your venue that supports that type of plug, then I can easily plug directly into their sound system! A microphone can also work, though it’s not going to be as efficient and, depending on the microphone (they’re all different), it may not pick up the sound at all. Just ask your event coordinator, catering director on site, or DJ - they will be able to tell you if the venue has a microphone or PA system available for yo
Read more: Music

Booking Information
2007-04-17 19:46:38
So…you would like to book me to play harp music for a special event, party, or wedding! Fantastic! What is the next step? First of all, you can contact me to find out my availability and pricing. So that I can be completely sure of my availability, please be sure to include all the details possible about your wedding or special event. Here’s what I need to know: Date Times (beginning and end) City Specific location name (hotel, private home, etc.) Outdoor or indoor location If I am available for your event and you decide to proceed with the booking, I will mail or fax you a contract. I require a $50 deposit to hold the date. Along with the contract I will also send you a questionnaire about your wedding or event. This way, I have all your contact information and all the other important details I need to help make your day a success! Be sure to fill out every section; every question is there because it is crucial for me to have that information, no matter how insignificant it may
Read more: Booking

Easter Brunch
2007-04-09 19:49:45
I performed for Easter Brunch at the Virginia Country Club, a location that I perform for several holidays throughout the year. Always a nice place to be, such great staff and well organized events. And the food! I could go on and on… The Easter Bunny was kind enough to take time out from playing with the kids to pose for a picture!


Outdoor Locations
2007-03-23 19:57:16
Spring has come early this year…people are planning their upcoming weddings and events. With the great weather here in sunny Southern California, weddings and special events are often held outdoors. What could be better than harp music to go along with??? Harps are very sensitive and delicate instruments that require protection from the damaging outdoor elements; these elements can cause irreversible and permanent damage to the instrument. I know what you’re thinking; you’ve probably seen a beautiful photo on one of those wedding location directories of a harp in an outdoor garden setting, out in the sunlight with no overhead covering. Well, that makes for a good picture to help sell the venue, but completely unrealistic in terms of the actual needs of the harp and the harp player! Harps can be easily damaged by the following outdoor elements: Direct sun - placing the harp in direct sunlight heats and dries out the wood, softens the glues in the harp, and can weaken or dest


Party In Beverly Hills
2007-03-09 19:01:35
I had the pleasure to perform last night for a champagne and hors d’oeuvres reception at Eddia, a store that specializes in men’s clothing & accessories on Canon Drive in Beverly Hills . They had me set up in the store window…I’ve never been a window display before! There I was, in between the shirts and shoes. I did get some great entertainment of my own just watching the people on the street react to seeing a live harp player in the store window display! See, you can get all kinds of entertainment in Los Angeles… Very nice staff there; they really made the evening the success that it was. I met a very cool and talented photographer as well, as illustrated by this photo taken at the reception! Thanks Adam. Photo by Adam Latham Photography
Read more: Party , Beverly Hills

Wedding Music Selections
2007-03-01 19:06:20
Choosing music for your wedding can be a bit overwhelming when you don’t know where to start. But I’m here to help! I have performed my harp for literally hundreds of weddings, and for just about every type of service you can imagine: Catholic Mass, Christian, Greek Orthodox, Jewish, Non-Denominational, Persian, and Vow Renewals. There are three main musical selections that will need to be made for your ceremony: Entrance of the Bridal Party, Bride’s Entrance, and Recessional. Here are some suggestions to get you started. And don’t worry; all these selections sound beautiful on the harp! These are all very traditional and favorite wedding music choices: Entrance of Bridal Party Canon in D - Pachelbel Prelude in C - Bach Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring - Bach Air on a “G” String - Bach Air from “Water Music ” - Handel Bridal Procession Bridal Chorus - Wagner Canon in D - Pachelbel Trumpet Voluntary - Clarke Recessional Trumpet Voluntary - Clarke Ode T


Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder - For Once In My Life
2007-02-12 16:43:47
A fond look back… Here’s a clip from “Tony Bennett : An American Classic“, released on DVD in November 2006. Look for the harpist in the background to the right of Stevie ; it’s a bit dark but that’s me! This song won a Grammy Award last night for the category of Pop Collaboration with Vocals
Read more: Tony Bennett

New Year with Harp Music…and Yoga!
2007-01-07 16:41:15
Back in November, a very nice man named Ken contacted me. He wanted to surprise his wife Isabel on her 40th birthday (which happened to be on New Year ’s Day) with harp music to wake up to, followed by a private yoga class in their home! Wow, what a great husband! I was very enthusiastic about the idea; I had never played for a yoga class before, and surprises are always fun… So, at 8:30AM on New Year’s Day, Ken and I stealthily sneaked the harp into their living room. I started playing at 9AM. During my second piece, out of the corner of my eye I saw a head peek around the doorway (their 5-year old daughter). A few minutes later, I saw another head peek around the same doorway (Isabel), followed by hysterical laughter down the hallway. She was so surprised and absolutely thrilled! I continued to play music while the family enjoyed their morning together. An hour later, the yoga instructor came. Isabel was treated to a one-on-one yoga class accompanied by live harp music!
Read more: Music

Doubletree San Pedro Grand Opening
2006-12-16 17:14:42
On December 14 I performed at the Doubletree in San Pedro . Formerly the Marina Hotel, they have completely renovated the hotel and had their grand opening celebration under their new name. It’s a beautiful hotel just right along the Marina. Their Grand Opening was definitely a success judging from the large crowd that showed up! I didn’t get to sample the incredible looking appetizers floating around, darn! But when the valet brought my car around front, she smiled and handed me a shiny Christmas-y bag. Inside the bag was a tin of chocolate chip cookies! Yum… Photo: Courtesy of the San Pedro Doubletree


Tony Bennett DVD now available!
2006-11-21 16:58:28
I was fortunate enough to work with Tony Bennett twice this year: once in concert at the Kodak Theater in June, and for the filming of Tony Bennett : An American Classic in August. Talk about an experience I will never forget, meeting and working with Tony at the Kodak show was amazing! He was so gracious, laid back, and always smiling. I got a little choked up when he sang “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”, just hearing those classic songs and being a part of it all… As you can see by the photo, I got to meet Stevie Wonder after the filming of Tony Bennett: An American Classic. He was amazing. Here’s a little behind-the-scenes story: There are always lots of filming breaks while they re-set all the cameras. During the long filming breaks, Stevie was quietly playing his harmonica. The guitarist and piano player were getting bored and they started quietly playing a jazz chart. Stevie was several yards away from them in the middle of the stage, but he was listen
Read more: available

How to Choose a Harpist
2007-06-08 18:31:38
If you are looking for a harpist for your wedding or event, then you’ll definitely want to do your homework… If you are price-shopping for the cheapest harpist available on your event date, you are taking a huge risk with the outcome and quality of your event. Remember, as with most things in life, you get what you pay for. There are so many people out there calling themselves “professional harpists”. But not all harpists are created equal; they all have different levels of musical ability, training, and experience. If you’re simply looking for the visual ambiance created by a harp in the room and cost is the most important consideration, then you will have no problem finding a harpist from the large pool of “professional harpists” out there. However, if your event requires an experienced musician, and the quality of the musical performance is important to you, then the selection of a harpist becomes a very important decision. Here are som
Read more: Harpist

“Ladies Only” Week of Events
2007-06-25 10:28:57
Last week seems to have inadvertently become the “Ladies Only” week of events! One event was an afternoon tea held at a private home in Huntington Beach. I have performed for this client for many years, so it’s always fun to go back. My client invites all her lady friends for an afternoon tea party every year or two. All the ladies come dressed in their fancy dresses and hats, some were even prepared with their white gloves! This afternoon tea was complete with tea sandwiches, scones with Devonshire cream, and assorted pastries (and tea, of course). YUM! Wish I had brought a camera to share a photo…next time for sure! Another event was a bridal shower in Newport Beach at the Island Hotel, complete with a mime and a caracaturist! A kind and talented photographer shared his talents and sent the photo above. Thanks Michael! Photography by Michael Munson


Mozart Festival in San Luis Obispo, CA
2007-07-16 16:03:26
Last week I was a performer in the summer Mozart Festival , held annualy in San Luis Obispo, CA. I’ve performed various orchestral concerts as a harpist in San Luis Obispo over the course of many years, and I always love going back and spending a few days there! I was fortunate to have a lot of down time in between rehearsals and practice sessions to be able to go out and enjoy the city. I went to the Thursday night Farmer’s Market, attended a free outdoor concert at the Mission, and went to Big Sky Restaurant, one of my favorite places there in town (and a major supporter of the Festival). It was also great to find so many familiar faces in the orchestra; there were many musicians who came up from Los Angeles so I had plenty of friends to hang out with and catch up with. It was like a mini-vacation…in between some very long and taxing rehearsals for the opening night concert! There was only one piece in the concert that included harp, and that was the ballet suite


When is it Best to Book an Event?
2007-07-30 11:40:25
Weddings, receptions, corporate parties, bridal showers, baby showers, graduations, anniversaries, birthdays…all kinds of special events occur all throughout the year. Some months of the year tend to be much busier than other months. As a special event and wedding harpist in Los Angeles and Orange County, I have seen these regular trends throughout the past [...]


Torrance Symphony Concert In The Park
2007-08-27 14:23:02
Sunday August 26th was the annual summer concert with Torrance Symphony , held outdoors at Wilson Park in Torrance. I have performed at this annual concert for many years now, so I pretty much know what to expect…or so I thought! It was a nice, cool, overcast day. We all rather enjoyed that for a change, since [...]
Read more: Concert

Vegas Baby…
2007-09-13 15:46:29
It was a Las Vegas weekend. I performed with Kanye West for the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards and at the Rolling Stone VIP Party at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Being a classically-trained harpist, I never thought I would get the opportunity to do this kind of work, that’s for sure! I have [...]
Read more: Vegas Baby

October is Arts Month in Long Beach
2007-10-19 13:09:19
It’s October …that means it’s Arts Month in the City of Long Beach ! Lots of activities going on the whole month, check it out! Last year (and again this year) the City of Long Beach Arts Council held a contest in celebration of Arts Month for the “Faces of Long Beach Artists”. I was chosen in 2006, [...]


Thanksgiving Day Brunch
2007-11-26 15:38:03
It was my second year in a row to perform at the Virginia Country Club in Long Beach. There are some places where I return to perform again and again, and I love being able to come back to a familiar and friendly place like the VCC. I was set up in the entryway [...]
Read more: Thanksgiving , Brunch

Holiday Season in Full Swing
2007-12-17 13:07:31
We’re here again - the holiday season. December is always a busy month filled with holiday parties, orchestra concerts, and church services. This December has definitely been a busy one, but also a fun one! I’ve provided holiday event and party music for several private and corporate events. These were clients that have asked me back [...]
Read more: Season , Holiday , Holiday Season

Valentine’s Day - February 14
2008-02-04 12:40:10
Looking for the perfect setting for an elegant dinner this Valentine ’s Day? Come to McCormick & Schmick’s in El Segundo! I’ll be performing all your favorite jazz standards and romantic ballads from 5PM to 10PM. Nothing says romance more than live harp music… McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant Thursday February 14, 2008 Live Music from 5PM-10PM 2101 Rosecrans Avenue El [...]
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