Winter Songs

Winter Songs - Set 1

1. Invocation/Meditation

By Kathryn Claire. You can read the Meditation and feel free to print and share it!

2. Dans la lumière

By Kathryn Claire - The translation means "In the Light" this tune was written to evoke the feeling of light, warmth and sparks in the cold and dark of Winter. You can watch a clip from our first rehearsal of the season HERE

3. Dark of December

By Kathryn Claire - This song is inspired by a poem by Oliver Herford which reads:

I heard a bird sing in the dark of December

A magical thing and sweet to remember

We are nearer to spring than we were in September

I heard a bird sing in the dark of December

You can listen to Dark of December and watch the VIDEO.

4. Will of the Flower

By Kathryn Claire. This song is from the album Eastern Bound for Glory. You can listen to Will of the Flower and also watch a live VIDEO.

5. Baker's Song/White Eyes/In the Bleak Midwinter

The song was written by Kathryn Claire 20 years ago. You can listen to Baker's Song off of Kathryn's first album. The poem White Eyes is by Mary Oliver. The final carol is In the Bleak Midwinter.

6. Moon on Snow/God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman

Moon on Snow is written by Kathryn Claire. The second tune is a traditional carol, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and one of Kathryn's childhood favorites.

7. Ways of the World/Bjorne Stompe

By Kathryn Claire. You can listen to Ways of the World and watch the VIDEO. Bjorne Stompe appears separately on Kathryn's album Bones Will Last and was written to evoke the image of dancing around a fire on a cold night.

Winter Songs - Set 2

1. Autumn Leaves

One of Kathryn's favorite jazz standards. Music/lyrics by Joseph Kosma /Johnny Mercer

2. Cold Frosty Morning

The final tune is an old traditional fiddle tune called Cold Frosty Morning. We put this together and created a introductory piece called Shadows of Branches. You can listen to Cold Frosty Morning. It is from our EP.

3. Jeannette Isabella/Sunday Session

The first tune is a traditional French Carol. The second tune The Sunday Session was written by Kathryn Claire and inspired by a session in Amsterdam.

4. Follow the Heron/Dark Wings

Follow the Herron is written by Karine Polwart. I recorded and released it with The Lasses and you can listen to our version of Follow the Herron. The poem To Know the Dark is by Wendell Berry.

5. California Dreamin'

By The Mamas & the Papas. Everyone knows this one!

6. Cross into the New

By Kathryn Claire. This song was written for the EP and show and explores the practices of saying goodbye to one year and crossing into the next. You can listen to Cross into the New and watch the VIDEO.

7. Gather Together/The Shortest Day

The song Gather Together is written by Kathryn Claire. The poem The Shortest Day is written by Susan Cooper.

About the Music and musicians

Winter Songs

Kathryn Claire - Vocals, violin, electric guitar, ukulele

Sid Ditson - Violin, viola, vocals

Don Henson - piano, keybords

With her violin and voice at the center of her music, Kathryn Claire weaves together stories and melodies rooted in her classical and traditional musical background while infusing each song and composition with an energy and electricity that is palpable. Her musicality and joy on stage is infectious. Honest and poetic writing, crystalline vocals, impassioned violin compositions, and an ability to move seamlessly across genres, are the hallmark of Kathryn Claire's original and diverse sound.

Don Henson has toured extensively with Kathryn Claire in the Pacific Northwest and played with her “Winter Songs” show since 2018. Don works frequently with Will West and Skip Vonkuske in Portland, OR. His band, 'Sneakin Out' has played various stages with Pink Martini, on The Tonight Show (With Jay Leno) and had the honor of playing Carnegie Hall.

Sid Ditson has toured with Kathryn in Belgium and the Netherlands and has been an integral part of Kathryn’s music over the past decade. Sid has been playing violin since childhood. He loves to explore the sometimes irreverent blend of fiddle and violin styles, and brings to the stage and studio a versatility with the instrument that is truly unique. Classical, indie, bluegrass, Celtic and improv are all a part of Sid’s palette, along with an exquisite tone and depth of expression. Sid is often caught grinning while playing, finding it impossible to hide the immense joy that music brings.

You can buy the EP on Bandcamp! This is a great way to support independent artists. Your support really matters! You can also support me on PATREON. My community on Patreon made it possible for me to record and produce Winter Songs ! Thank you to all of you patrons!