This page contains a brief overview on the album CHRISTA GRIX: Cheek to Chic. Learn more about the artist and explore the track lists and website. If you find any information that needs to be corrected, please let us know.

 
Christa Grix Biography

A native of the Detroit, Michigan area, Christa Grix studied with Velma Froude, at Michigan State University, and Lucile Lawrence, at Boston University. Although she benefited from excellent, rigorous training in classical music, she always was drawn to the musical freedom that is the trademark of fine jazz playing.

Grix's professional credentials reveal her eclectic personality In 1983, she was selected to be a Young Artist with the Scotia Festival of Music in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and was first runner-up in the 1986 Pop and Jazz Harp Competition sponsored by Lyon-Healy Harps, Inc. In 1996, she toured England, Scotland and Wales with the Renaissance Voices of Henry Ford Community College. In 1999, she was featured as a jazz harpist at the Seventh World Harp Congress, in Prague, Czech Republic. In June 2000, she was a highlighted soloist for the National Conference of the American Harp Society, and gave the closing recital for the 2002 conference, held in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Jazz critic and WEMU, FM host, Michael Nastos, has commented on Grix:

"Christa Grix is a harp player of considerable depth and vision," he writes. "Her phrasing and lyricism suggest the obvious influence of jazz progenitor, Dorothy Ashby, but in many ways, she has taken those nuances and stepped it up a notch. Whether it be classical or jazz, it takes little time to realize what a precious musician Christa Grix is, and how she is literally able to do it all. That universal appeal, and her willingness to take risks with improvisation, is what sets her apart from the rest."

Grix released her first recording, "freefall," in 1996 on the Freefall Music label. Her second recording, "Cheek to Chic" was released earlier this year. She is married to graphics designer Michael Mullen. They reside in Northville, MI with their young son and miniature harpist, Brendan James.

Track List:
1. It Might As Well Be Spring
2. Sea Journey
3. Alone Together
4. Sonata in C Minor; Allegro
5. Sonata in C Minor; Andantino Espressivo
6. Sonata in C Minor; Presto
7. La Desirade
8. Where Is Love
9. You Must Believe in Spring
10. Danny Boy Blue
11. Cheek to Cheek

Suggested CDs:

• Christine Vivona
• The Felice Pomeranz Jazz Quartet
• Jessica Gill

Other Genres:

• JAZZ: Traditional Jazz Combo
• EASY LISTENING: Musicals/Broadway