Carolyn Cruso, an acclaimed multi-instrumentalist and composer, will bring her Celtic folk, jazz, and pop stylings to the Cannon Beach History Center for an Acoustic Folk! Music Series concert on Saturday, January 29 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Cruso has toured widely in both the US and Europe, and has as produced eight CDs over the past 20 years. She is equally at home on hammered dulcimer, flute, and guitar, performing a diverse array of original tunes as well as traditional material.

Most of that traditional material was gleaned from a two-and-a-half year sojourn in Europe with late partner Robert Almblade, with whom she performed and wrote for over a decade, as well as playing at Irish sessions around the United States. The material is largely Celtic and her involvement with that genre colors her original work.

“Cruso has been surprising fans around the country with the fact that she is a poetic lyricist, a powerfully expressive singer and a strong guitar player,” says Cruso’s website. “Her lyrics explore love, loss and redemption and convey a compelling sense of longing. She regularly uses open tunings which allow her to find rich voicings for the chords she uses.”

Reviewers call her albums “exquisite,” “intelligent,” “elegant,” and “fertile,” and her performances have been called powerful and emotionally provocative. Don’t miss a chance to hear Cruso live!