Pell City Library goes celtic

Published 8:00 am Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Whether you relish the vibrant exuberance of a jig or a reel, or savor the lilting, heart-rending ballad, you are sure to experience Celtic music to your liking as the Pell City Library welcomes musicians Jil Chambless and Scooter Muse performing in concert at noon Wednesday, May 21.  

Both are members of the Tuscaloosa-based band, Henri’s Notions, the longest performing Celtic band in the Southeastern United States.  Chambless and Muse have performed in duo since 2010 at a variety of venues and at various events throughout the United States, from private concerts to major Celtic Festivals. 

In May of 2011 they released their first duo CD entitled, The Laverock Sang, which includes an entertaining collection of traditional and contemporary Celtic songs and tunes.  Now in 2014, the two have released a collaborative CD entitled Passing Tales and Glories, which delivers a stellar collection of the duo’s newest Celtic recordings.

Chambless is recognized as one of the best American vocalists and flutists on the Celtic circuit.  Originally from Montgomery, she now resides in Tuscaloosa, and has been actively involved in the Celtic music scene for more than 20 years.  Jil made her introduction into Celtic music in 1989 when she joined Henri’s Notions of Tuscaloosa.  She released her first solo CD entitled, The Ladies Go Dancing, in December of 2009.    From her hauntingly beautiful ballads to her lively heart-thumping jigs, Chambless delivers a first-rate performance certain to bring tears and smiles to her listening audience.

Robert “Scooter” Muse is an accomplished 5-string banjo player with a musical background in Bluegrass.  In the 1980’s he gravitated to Celtic guitar and founded Full Moon Ensemble, a group which performed for eight years across the United States and in Scotland, before he joined Henri’s Notions in 2003.  In 2005, Muse released his first solo recording, Saddell Abbey, a collection of original guitar instrumentals which the Saddell Abbey Trust of Scotland described as “. . .a hauntingly beautiful piece of music.”

Together, these artists deliver an outstanding performance that is both exhilarating and beautiful.  Enjoy toe-tapping Scottish and Irish favorites as they perform in concert for the Pell City Library’s ongoing Wild and Wonderful Wednesday series on May 21 at noon.  The program is free and open to the public, and light refreshments will be served afterwards.