We thought it would be a good idea to put some more information about us in this blog that would be on-going.

As time goes on, we will try keep you up to date as well (on new developments, interviews, concerts, etc).

For now we will post the following (for those of you who would like to know more about us): 

A LINK TO OUR MUSIC AND A LITTLE BIT ABOUT US 

If you want to hear some sound clips of us, the best place to hear us is on our MYSPACE page at: http://www.myspace.com/thespiritesconsort

We are primarily known as a Renaissance band, pioneering a new sound using  Renaissance composers works (primarily from 1600s British Isles), and our repertoire is largest in that area. But we started out as an innovative interpreter of other kinds of music as well: mainstream classical, Celtic, mainstream folk and jazz. We have also performed many originals.

HERE ARE SOME SHORT BIOS OF OUR BAND MEMBERS

Jeff Belding (guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, keyboards, composer, some violin, some percussion):  educational background includes The New England Conservatory of Music, The Boston Conservatory of Music & The College of Saint Rose. 1984: won the New Twists for Banjo contest judged by Tony Trischka. 1988 and 1991: was nominated instrumentalist of the year by the Northeast Country Music Association. 

Rick Eckberg (double bass): educational background includes: the Eastman School of Music. He is a symphony bassist (Schenectady & Glens Falls symphonies). He has also played and recorded with numerous classical, jazz and folk artists including (but not limited to) Nick Brignola, Carol Sloane, Rosemary Clooney, Teddy Wilson, Lee Shaw and Pat Melita.

Lise Winne (voice, guitar, recorders, composer, some cello, a little Celtic harp): educational background includes college music lessons (she was an art major) and lessons at home (her father is a multi-instrumentalist). 1999: won a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts in music. Lise also has an Enchanted folk site at http://members.enchantedfolk.com/lise  and a MYSPACE site at http://www.myspace.com/lisewinne

Joe Davoli (violin, baritone violin): educational background includes Berklee School of Music and DePaul University. Notable teachers include Darol Anger (member of The Anonymous 4), Matt Glaser, and John Blake. Joe does not perform at costumed events. Joe has his own MYSPACE site at http://www.myspace.com/joedavoli  

Jim Lestrange (hammered dulcimer, guitar, bass): Jim is well versed in many instrumentals by Renaissance composers, most notably, Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738) and English Country Dance (1600s). Jim began playing music at age 12 accompanying Lawrence Older, the legendary "Adirondack Minstrel" and Newport Folk Festival artist active in the folk revival of the sixties. He has played in many dance bands, bluegrass bands and Celtic bands.

Other musicians on recorded material include Brian Melick (http://www.myspace.com/brianmelick), Scott Petito (http://www.myspace.com/scottpetito) and Cole Broderick.

Lise's new Enchanted site is: http://members.enchantedfolk.com/lise.

Hi,

We just added some photos to our site here. They are only viewable to friends, so if you want to view them, feel free to friend us.

Have a wonderful week of creativity!

We are new to Communities of Faerie & would like to welcome you! We hope we are following the right steps in creating this space about us. We welcome your insights & input.

As you can see, we are a Renaissance band, but less known is the fact that our singer, Lise Winne, is also a visual artist (inspired by Celtic, Renaissance, angels & heart-issues). Have a look at her website at:  http://www.LiseWinne.com.

We are presetly working hard on new songs for an album.

We like friends!