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Kristina Olsen is one of the most entertaining and compelling performers
on the international folk circuit. A superb multi-instrumentalist
(acoustic guitar, steel-body slide guitar, saxophone, concertina and
piano) as well as an award-winning songwriter with a big bluesy voice,
Kristina has audiences around the world coming back for more. Her mix
of powerful songs ranging from sassy bottleneck blues to lilting ballads
to swing jazz to raunch and roll (as well as her hilarious storytelling)
makes for a diverse and satisfying musical experience, on stage and on
disc.
Born in San Francisco and raised in Haight-Asbury during the 1960's,
Kristina's approach to music and life was formed by that environment of
vital cultural expression, social activism and diverse musical
influences. She now calls Venice Beach, Los Angeles home but rarely
sees it from touring ten months a year.
2004 sees the release of Olsen's tenth recording, 'In Your Darkened
Room' which marks her fourth CD recorded in Australia. 'In Your
Darkened Room' was recorded on an organic solar powered farm in northern
NSW, chosen for the beautiful acoustics and lack of electric hum and
motor noise. Australia's own cellist Peter Grayling and accordionist
George Butrumlis joins her as well as American musicians Paul Elliott
(violin) and Ed Johnson (harmony vocals). 2002 saw the release of 'All
Over Down Under', a live recording from the Australian trio tour with
Peter Grayling and George Butrumlis. In 1999 'The Truth of a Woman' was
released and was one of the top CDs surveyed in folk airplay. In 1998
'Duet' was released in Australia, a CD of duet's between Olsen and
Australian cellist Peter Grayling. In the previous six years Olsen
released four critically acclaimed CDs on the Philo/Rounder label.
Such respected artists as Eric Bibb, Fairport Convention, Mary Coughlan
and Mollie O'Brien have covered and recorded songs by Olsen. Olsen has
also worked as a session musician on numerous artist's albums including
playing the hammered dulcimer on Michelle Shocked's album 'Short Sharp
Shocked' on PolyGram. Olsen has performed as a multi-instrumentalist in
plays for the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles' Music Center. Olsen won
the Kerrville Song writing award her song for battered women, 'I'm
Keeping This Life of Mine'
In 2002 alone, Olsen toured in Australia, Scotland (for the Celtic
Connections Festival), England, Bangladesh (for a benefit concert), New
Zealand, Canada and the USA. Kristina has been part of a songwriters'
group for over two decades and has taught songwriting, slide guitar and
dance for musicians at adult music camps from Alaska to NYC to the UK to
Australia for over a dozen years. Olsen is a frequent contributor to
Acoustic Guitar magazine, writing articles on guitar and performance
technique.
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