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John Doan

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John Doan
Birth nameJohn Doan
Born (1951-05-16) May 16, 1951 (age 73)
Santa Monica, California, U.S.
GenresAcoustic, ambient, classical, Celtic, folk, new-age
Occupation(s)Musician, composer
Instrument(s)Harp guitar, guitar, lute, harpolyre
Years active1974–present
LabelsHearts of Space, Narada, Windham Hill & Tapestry
Websitejohndoan.com

John Doan (Born May 16, 1951) is one of the best-known harp guitarists in the world.[1] In addition, he is a performer, Emmy-nominated composer, historian, instrument collector, and university professor.[2]

Background

Doan grew up in Venice, California, and at the age of eleven began playing the guitar, first a 12-string, and later a double-neck electric in a rock band. Later, while studying music at California State University, Northridge he was introduced to classical guitar. He really enjoyed the music for the lute and was amazed at the sound of its many strings. Later when he found a century old harp-guitar on the back wall of a music store, it called to him with its beautiful shape and unusual collection of extra strings. He relates: "I was achingly curious and wanted to transform its silence and neglect into something alive and vibrant. It was and continues to be an adventure to play music on the harp-guitar."[3] After moving to Oregon, Doan earned his master's in musical education from Western Oregon University and served on the faculty there. He studied the renaissance and baroque lute in the Netherlands.[4] Doan's music has a strong classical influence and he also finds inspiration in folk traditions, Irish musical traditions in particular. He is an associate professor of music at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, a historian, and a multi-instrumentalist specializing in unusual vintage instruments.[5] Over the years Doan has played with many folk and country artists, including Donovan, Burl Ives, Larry Carlton, and Chet Atkins.[6]

Recordings

Doan created his own brand of folk-fusion on his first album on Narada, titled Departures (1988).[6] He followed that up with Remembrance: Melodies from a Forgotten Era (1993) on the Tapestry label which was inspired by his own musical traditions in folk tunes of the American West.[7] In the 1990s two television specials were produced by Oregon Public Broadcasting: A Christmas to Remember With John Doan (seen on PBS) and his Emmy nominated A Victorian Christmas With John Doan. The live version of his Victorian Christmas, in which he re-enacts what it might have been like to celebrate Christmas a century ago, has been a holiday tradition for over 20 years.[8] His latest recording on Hearts of Space, Eire – Isle of the Saints, won "Best Celtic Album of the Year." The Lost Music of Fernando Sor (2008) features the music of Fernando Sor (1778–1839), beloved as the "Father of the Classical Guitar", who composed ten works for the harpolyre, a three-necked, 21 string guitar. Doan discovered and restored a playable instrument from c. 1830 which he used for this recording.[9] Doan's latest video project is a 90-minute documentary that he wrote and starred in titled In Search of the Harp Guitar. John recently hosted an International Harp Guitar Festival at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon.[10]

Recognition

  • "John's music is simply beautiful. No, it is more than that, it is heavenly!" – Burl Ives[11]
  • "I honestly believe we need more quality class-acts in our business of show, and John is exactly that. I love spending time with him, as both a friend and a member of an audience. He's wonderfully entertaining, and I believe in him. John is an undiscovered treasure and one of my best discoveries." Randy Sparks, Founder of The New Christy Minstrels[11]
  • "I can't tell you where I have been these past several minutes except to say that I got lost in your beautiful music! Where do you get one of them things?" Doc Watson[11]
  • "John returns audiences to a time when we use to dream before movies did that for us." Mason Williams[11]
  • "John has restored my faith ... there is still new and exciting music for the guitar." George Winston[11]
  • "I admire John's music and playing." Chet Atkins[11]
  • "John, it was great playing with you. You make lovely music." Donovan[11]
  • "I think your music is really beautiful and atmospheric." Sally Oldfield[11]

Discography

CDs

  • Homage to Fernando Sor (2012)
  • Harp Guitars Under The Stars (2010) (With Muriel Anderson)
  • A Celtic Pilgrimage (2010)
  • The Lost Music of Fernando Sor (2008)
  • Wayfarer: Ancient Paths to Sacred Places (2007)
  • Eire: Isle of the Saints (A Celtic Odyssey) (1997)
  • Wrapped in White: Visions of Christmas Past (1994)
  • Remembrance: Melodies from a Forgotten Era (1993)
  • Departures (1988)

Compilations

  • Brad Hoyt | Together Alone| Duets featuring Piano and Harp Guitar (2009)
  • Harp Guitar Dreams (2008)
  • Christmas Past: Holiday Harp Guitar Classics (2006)
  • Beyond Six Strings (2006)
  • Renaissance: A Midsummer Night's Dream
  • Celtic Twilight I-V

DVDs

  • Primal Twang – The Legacy of the Guitar (2010)
  • In Search of the Harp Guitar (2006)
  • A Celtic Pilgrimage with John Doan (2010)
  • John Doan Live In Concert
  • John Doan's two Christmas TV specials – Combo DVD
  • A Victorian Christmas With John Doan
  • A Christmas To Remember With John Doan

TV specials

  • OPB A Christmas to Remember with John Doan seen on PBS.
  • OPB A Victorian Christmas with John Doan seen on PBS.

References

  1. ^ harpguitarmusic.com
  2. ^ allmusic.com
  3. ^ fingerpicking.net
  4. ^ John Doan bio, Yahoo Music
  5. ^ harpguitars.net
  6. ^ a b Bio: All Music
  7. ^ Discography: All Music
  8. ^ Museum of Making Music
  9. ^ Harp Guitar Music: The Lost Music of Fernando Sor
  10. ^ primaltwang.com
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h Testimonials

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