Deborah Henson-Conant
Deborah Henson-Conant (born November 11, 1953, in Stockton, California) is an American harpist and composer. Nicknamed "the Hip Harpist", she is known for her flamboyant stage presence and her innovation with electric harps.
Deborah Henson-Conant
- Name
- Deborah Henson-Conant
- Born
- 11 November 1953
- Birthplace
- Stockton, California
- Occupation
- Musician
- Nationality
- United States
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Documentary summary
Deborah Henson-Conant (born November 11, 1953, in Stockton, California) is an American harpist and composer. Nicknamed "the Hip Harpist", she is known for her flamboyant stage presence and her innovation with electric harps.
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Deborah Henson-Conant (born 1953) is a composer, curator and harpist, among other activities, of American nationality. The composer was born in Stockton.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 30 September 2026
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Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Deborah Henson-Conant • Born — 11 November 1953 • Birthplace — Stockton, California • Genre — Jazz, blues • Occupation — Musician • Instrument — Harp, electric harp, voice • Years Active — 1985–present • Associated Acts — Story of Light Band
Career
Career
Deborah Henson-Conant describes her music as "cross-genre: jazz-pop-comedy-folk-blues-flamenco-celtic". Deborah performs one-person shows in theaters, concert halls and festivals; and she does original music and theatre shows with symphony orchestras. Her performances mix music with theatrical and story elements. She orchestrates all her own music when she plays with symphony and often engages symphonic musicians in unexpected ways. She states that her career objectives include a desire to reevaluate misconceptions and underestimations of the harp instrument, of the stage medium, and of the self. The soundtrack of her 2006 DVD Invention & Alchemy, received a Grammy nomination, and the video version began broadcast on American public television in 2007. Her performance series Inviting Invention (2006) presents a series of "performance explorations" that includes both musical and non-musical guests collaborating onstage with Henson-Conant. In 2012, she joined Steve Vai's band for his 2012 tour and album, The Story of Light. In October 2013, Henson-Conant performed and represented the United States at the 7th annual World Harp Festival, in Asunción, Paraguay. Steve Vai
Albums
Albums
• The Story of Light (2012) • Invention and Alchemy (2006) • Artists Proof Ltd Edition Version 2.1 (2004) • The Frog Princess (2000) • Live Wires (with Livingston Taylor) (2000) • The Celtic Album (1998) • Altered Ego (1998) • Just for You (1995) • The Gift (1995) • Round the Corner (1993) • Naked Music (1994) • Budapest (1992) • Talking Hands (1991) • Caught in the Act (1990) • On the Rise (1989) • Songs My Mother Sang (1985)
Compilation appearances
Compilation appearances
• New Age Music & New Sounds Vol. 67 - "Liberty"
Videography
Videography
• Invention and Alchemy (2006)
Instruments
Instruments
Henson-Conant plays electric harps of various kinds, but primarily plays Camac Harps. The Camac DHC Light Blue electric harp was named after her. • Small Rubarth "R-Harp" (a lap harp) • Lyon & Healy Style 2000 Electroacoustic • Camac Electro-acoustic Big Blue • Camac Baby Blue • Lyon & Healy Silhouette
Reception
The soundtrack of her 2006 DVD Invention & Alchemy, received a Grammy nomination. The Daily News Online said that she has a "harp show like none other", featuring her "big, brassy voice".
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Henson-Conant, Deborah. Hip Harpist Deborah Henson-Conant Defies Categorization and Transforms Ancient Instrument. PR Newswire. May 3, 2007.
- 2.Henson-Conant, Deborah. Q&A with Legendary Electric-Rock Harpist: Deborah Henson-Conant. The Berklee Groove. December 14, 2012.
- 3.Sun Journal. Hip harpist returns to Maine roots. June 23, 2007.
- 4.Guitarnoize.com. Review: Steve Vai – The Story Of Light. July 5, 2012.
- 5.Vai, Steve. Interview: Steve Vai talks about The Story Of Light live show. October 1, 2012.
- 6.Henson-Conant, Deborah. I'm Gonna be in a Rock Band!. May 3, 2012.
- 7.Deborah Henson-Conant brings harp show like none other to Longview. February 15, 2012.
- 8.Henson-Conant, Deborah. Deborah Henson-Conant Interview. Jazz Monthly Feature Interview. Jazz Monthly.
- 9.Camac. DHC Bluelight.
References
Citations
References
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Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 18 August 2026.
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