Eugene Friesen (http://www.celloman.com/)

I first became aware of him through the Spanish Angel CD by Paul Winter Consort, where his cello is a perfect fit as the 3rd melody voice along with Winter's oboe/soprano sax, and Rhonda Larsen's flute. Listening to his work with Trio Globo and his solo CD In The Shade Of Angels cemented his place as my favorite New Directions cellist. The latter CD has some nice walking bass work, a nice solo all-pizz arrangement, among other things.

Rufus Cappodocia (http://www.rufusmusic.com/)

I became a fan via the album Kif, on which his extended range 5-string electro-acoustic cello handles most of the bass lines, with solid groove and some amazing demonstrations of his slapbow technique, and is occasionally allowed to contribute searing, Middle East-tinged solos. His work with Bethany&Rufus is also very nice. He's my current top inspiration as far as how I'd like my bass and rhythm parts to sound on the cello.

When the day comes that I can groove like Rufus and solo with emotional impact like Eugene, I'll be a very happy cellist.

I enjoyed watching Zoe Keating with Rasputina as well as the cello metal group Apocalypta. I plan to order Linday Mac's CD too.

About a year ago a fellow dulcimer player gave me Fire and Grace with Natalie Hass on cello. I first listened to it in the car on the way home from work and when they got to the third track..... Josefine's Waltz...... I almost had an accident because it was hard to see through my watery eyes. Simply stunningly beautiful. And what she does on the other tunes including the really fast ones is just as interesting. Yes, there are other cellists that can make those kinds of beautiful sounds but she and Alasdair Fraser choose to do it with the music that I am particularly fond of..... Scottish / celtic. Her playing accompanies me whenever I play. It is the goal. And then when I heard them live I was quite surprised to hear Alasdair say that the cello used to be an integral part of Scottish music and that Natalie was freeing it from its long time classical shackles. Go Natalie! I'll folow along as best I can.

Paul Goelz
Rochester Hills, MI USA
paul at pgoelz dot com
www.pgoelz.com

I too like Natalie Haas. I met her here in New Mexico in November, she was sweet and gracious. Unfortunately, I did not get a lesson, she had major time restrictions. I will not be able to attend the NDCA festival either (money constraints) so I just have to listen closely and try to emulate.

Another cellist I greatly admire is Rushad Eggleston. This boy completely changed the way I think about the cello. Before I saw him, I was mostly emulating either a bass, or a fiddle, depending on how I felt about a tune. Rushad taught me that there is a way to play bluegrass and country blues "cello-ey". Yes, the cello does have it own voice in this music. We don't have to be a small bass or big fiddle. Check him out at http://www.crookedstill.com/

Once you're through growing, you're through. - Benjamin Franklin

with Appalachian Waltz Trio. Thanks!

I should mention that my other cello hero has always been Pooh Stevenson. She is better known these days as a hot bluegrass mandolin player but back in the '80s when I first met her she was a cellist (also banjo and mando) with an all female contemporary / old tymey group called Lady of the Lake. Trust me, three female vocals with guitar and cello..... you would melt. She was my initial cello inspiration. We traded recording gigs back then too... I played some dulcimer tracks on their last recording (Wild Rose) and they did a couple tracks on my first cassette (Gentle Airs).

I saw them together again about a year ago at a reunion concert in Lansing MI and trust me, she still has it.

Paul Goelz
Rochester Hills, MI USA
paul at pgoelz dot com
www.pgoelz.com

I took a listen to Crooked Still and I really like his playing!

He's like the cello equivalent of U2 guitarist The Edge - seamlessly transitioning between rhythm and lead roles and even playing rhythm-lead (which is what The Edge is known for).

I should put in a word for English cellist Matthew Barley who has done a lot of experimental and innovative work in the classical field. One area of interest he has is Indian music, following in the footsteps of the Menuhin/Shankar partnership. I have seen his improvisations in person, and they are very inspiring. More at http://www.matthewbarley.com/ .

Can't let a thread like this pass without mention of Japanese experimental cellist Hiromichi Sakamoto. His only available release as far as I know is 'Zero-Shiki' which is a work of great beauty and intensity. He loops his cello up an creates all kinds of luscious ambience then goes and attacks the thing with a drill!! Strongly recommended if you can get hold of it. Respect must be paid to Ernst Riejseger whose been doing exciting things with the cello for decades. I've also heard good things about Abdul Wadud and his solo record 'By Myself'..but I haven't been able to track it down yet. Anyone know anything about this?

www.pepperjam.moonfruit.com

Having been collecting and listening for 10 years. Choosing the most exciting or the ones I like most or the most innovative it makes it a difficult choice

There is the senior statesman David Darling but so many others.

Erik Friedlander, Gideon Freudmann, Eric Longsworth, Corbin Keep, Claude Lamothe,Jami Sieber, Claire Fitch, Hans Christian, Martin Tillmann, Maya Beiser, Ivan Hussey (Celloman), Von Cello to name a few working solo

then those embedded in very alternative cello directions like Heather Mcintosh in Japancakes, Mayumi Tachibana in Channel Light Vessel, and looper Cheryl O.

But taking my technique in a new direction has to be Rushad Eggleston. I got the DVD Chops & Grooves which inspires me to new possibilities.

But to capture my ears is Jorane who uses the cello to accompany her voice. Vent Fou remains my favourite CD.

So much happening and so little time to listen and try out new directions...

I'm pretty new to cello, so I haven't listend to more than a fraction of the players out there, but I do want to mention one who totally caught my heart and made me decide to start learning cello now instead of just dreaming about it. That is Kristen Miller. I just love her music.