She's here!

I am now 14 weeks into my time as a new Mum and I’m now finding my feet again! Cadi Haf is a very happy and healthy little girl, and has been growing so much every week. As some Mothers will already know, it’s been a difficult time in some respects recovering from labour - (what an experience!) Now we are just getting into a routine, coping with less sleep, and a new baby in the house! Life has changed massively, but for the better of course, and Cadi Haf means the world to both myself and my husband Chris. We have now almost adjusted to our new way of travel. As a harpist and a percussionist we have always had large vehicles, however a baby and all her stuff needs to now be packed as well. We’re thankful to have found a converted van which can carry 5 people and all our instruments - but we are only just adapting to how long it takes to load and unload during each trip!

I’m thrilled to have just returned from the USA having delivered concerts with percussionist Chris Marshall in Pittsburgh and in Richmond VA. We have also started a recording project with the American Youth Harp Ensemble which will be launched and toured in the US and UK next year.

Speaking of albums, I’m also pleased to announce that my next solo album will be released on July 28th, the day before the most popular weekend to get married here in the UK. It’s all about the celebration of love, as an universal theme and is dedicated to my daughter Cadi Haf. However more about this soon!

I was honoured to have performed in St Davids Festival on June 1st, which is such a spectacular venue, alongside close friends and talented musicians from London who formed the Claire Jones String Ensemble. We also premiered ‘Dylan’ written by Chris Marshall to mark the centenary of Dylan Thomas. It was met with rapturous applause, and we look forward to more performances in future.

I am now preparing for the ‘Hands of Fire’ tour with Chris, which comes to Swindon Arts Centre 23rd of June, and then we will both be heading to Llangollen International Eisteddfod as the official adjudicators for the Blue Riband Instrumental Competition, and Ensembles competition.

There is a very busy summer ahead with the visit of the American Youth Harp Ensemble, choir and chamber group (and their families) between 6-14th of August 2017. We will have concerts in Southwark, Winchester, St Davids Cathedrals and Cardigan Castle. There are 90 Americans visiting us, and they will be working together with the Claire Jones International Harp School during that week, with joint performances planned. It will be a week of international celebration and joy that the harps profile continues to rise.

For concert times and tickets please see my diary page, and I look forward to hopefully seeing you soon!

Love Claire x