
New World String Project

The New World String Project is John Weed (fiddle), Aryeh Frankfurter (nyckelharpa, harp), Lisa Lynn (cittern, harp), and Stuart Mason (guitar, bouzouki). The new quartet presents a lush blend of extraordinary instruments and heartwarming music in the Celtic, Nordic and American folk traditions. 

Science tells us that cross pollination can result in hybrid vigor and transcend the sum of its parts. Likewise, the vibrant West Coast traditional music community has given birth to the New World String Project. These four highly skilled and well known multi-instrumentalists -- two veteran duo acts -- recently joined forces to create an exciting weave of traditional world music. Ancient and modern sounds mingle freely on Swedish nyckelharpa, Celtic harp, fiddle, guitar, cittern, bouzouki, and more. Singing is also a part of the show, with Stuart Mason sharing his unique arrangements of ballads as old as the hills where he was born.

Fiddler John Weed is a classically-trained violinist who has spent the last 25 years immersed in traditional Irish fiddle styles.  John Weed and guitarist Stuart Mason also play together in the long-running Celtic band Molly’s Revenge. Celtic harp master Lisa Lynne, who gained international renown via recordings and tours with the label Windham Hill, often performs in a duo with NWSP-mate Aryeh Frankfurter. For years, Aryeh Frankfurter has been delighting audiences around the globe with his passionate, enduring and evocative music on Celtic harp, Swedish nyckelharpa (or keyed fiddle) and other stringed instruments. Stuart Mason is known for his authentic vocals and nimble skills on guitar, mandola, and banjo. Together, these intrepid string explorers take audiences on a thrilling, melodically exuberant musical ride. 

Band Member Bios:

Fiddler John Weed is a classically-trained violinist who has spent the last 25 years immersed in traditional fiddle styles.  John lived in Ireland in 2000 and taught fiddle workshops at the Flowing Tide International Music School in Doonbeg, County Clare. He has honed his skills since, attending the Frankie Kennedy Winter School in Dunlewey, County Donegal where he studied with Ciaran O’Maonaigh and Dermot Mcloughlin. With an affinity for American fiddle styles, John explores the connections between Irish, Scottish, and Swedish traditions. He is a member of the Celtic band Molly’s Revenge, and has performed at festivals in China, Scotland, Ireland, and many of the United States.

Since 1994, Aryeh Frankfurter has been delighting audiences around the globe with his passionate, enduring and evocative music. Aryeh’s uncommon approach to the Celtic harp and folk harp repertoire, command of the unusual Swedish nyckelharpa (or keyed fiddle) and other stringed instruments, his recording and production credits, and his numerous critically and commercially successful albums have earned him credit as a musician, recording and performance artist of extraordinary talents and abilities.

Lisa Lynne is a multi-instrumentalist and performer who has gained worldwide recognition for her original music featuring the Celtic harp. She specializes in traditional acoustic folk instruments and is widely acclaimed for composing memorable and heartwarming melodies that transcend category and genre. From humble beginnings, Lisa has ascended the ladder of success to owning her own production company and recording studio.  She has released several internationally recognized recordings on the prestigious Windham Hill and New Earth Record labels, while simultaneously running her own label Lavender Sky Music. After more than a decade of full time touring, recording and performing Lisa has surpassed one million in sales of her recordings.

Veteran artist Stuart Mason is known for his authentic vocals and nimble skills on guitar, mandola, and banjo. He has won awards for traditional singing (Goleta Old-Time Fiddler’s Convention), mandola (Topanga Banjo and Fiddle Contest), and songwriting (West Coast Songwriter’s Association). With John Weed, he is a member of the Celtic band Molly’s Revenge, and has performed at festivals in China, Scotland, Ireland, and many of the United States. When not gigging or recording, he teaches, writes, and builds websites. 