A L I S O N B L A C K H A L L
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Projects, gigs and partnerships
Because of the dynamic nature of repertoire, I have included just a few examples of different types of music I enjoy playing. I am always looking for new arrangements and I am also happy to accommodate special requests.
Harp and Dance at the Royal Albert Hall
In November 2014 I met with choreographer Mark Hedges to create a piece for the Salvation Army's Christmas concert at the Royal Albert Hall. I worked on a customised version of the Saint-Saens Fantasie for Harp to suit time constraints and provide storytelling moments through the key musical ideas.
Harp and Percussion
For the same concert at the Royal Albert Hall I got together with Mozambiquan percussionist, Helder Pack, to perform a new arrangement of We Three Kings by Galina Juritz in South Africa. It was a very interesting project for a number of reasons but especially in combining a classical style harp arrangement with African-Latino style improvised percussion. All in all it worked very well and I'm looking forward to continuing the collaboration.
 Alison Blackhall and Helder Pack27 November 2014 at the Royal Albert Hall. Photo by Paul Harmer. |  Alison Blackhall and Helder Pack27th November 2014 at the Royal Albert Hall. Photo by Paul Harmer. |
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 Alison Blackhall and Helder Pack27th November 2014 at the Royal Albert Hall. Photo by Paul Harmer. |  Alison Blackhall27th November 2014 at the Royal Albert Hall. Photo by Paul Harmer. |
 Alison Blackhall and Helder Pack27th November 2014 at the Royal Albert Hall. Photo by Paul Harmer. |  At the Royal Albert Hall27th November 2014 at the Royal Albert Hall. Photo by Paul Harmer. |
Harp and Songdog: Folk Noire
In 2009 I was approached by producer / engineer Nick Kacal to play on A Life Eroding, the latest album by critically acclaimed indie band Songdog. I had enjoyed their previous CD and was flattered to be asked to work with their front man Lyndon Morgans, who is also an accomplished poet and playwright. In addition to playing the harp, I also play glass harp on one of the tracks!
Songdog’s subsequent album, Last Orders at Harry’s Bar, gave us an opportunity to work together again. In the lounge one evening we took Lyndon’s new song St Lucy’s Day and wrote a great harp part for it. I even have a mini-cadenza. Below is a video of Lyndon Morgans, Nick Kacal and I playing an acoustic versions of St Lucy's Day at the Folk Roots New Routes evening at the Amersham Arms, Deptford, in 2011.
Also on Last Orders at Harry's Bar is a duet Lyndon and I play called A Million Times. This song is evidence of Lyndon's beautiful writing. The video below was also taken from the Amersham Arms performance in 2011.
Both albums are available online. You can find more information on www.songdog.co.uk
Harp and soprano: Keitumetse Joyce Moholoagae
I have collaborated with Joyce for a few different concerts now. An award winning soprano from South Africa, Joyce is renowned for both her opera and jazz singing. We performed together for the first South African Achievers Award Ceremony in London and at a concert to
Performing for an Amazwi Omzansi Africa fundraising concert.
This photo was taken after performing with Joyce at the first South African Achievers Awards ceremony in London. We are with Njabulo Madlala, founder of Amazwi Omzansi Africa.
