Live performances
Saturday 18 April 2026 4 pm
Tobermory United Church presents
Jeff Bird plays Hildegard von Bingen
general admission
donations welcome at the door
Q&A and reception to follow
Tobermory United Church
5 Brock St. Tobermory
Ontario Canada
the transcendent music of 12th century mystic Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179)
quietly stirring arrangements for harmonica, electric guitar and shruti box
ongoing- as a guest musician with COWBOY JUNKIES
news
NEW RECORDING
ORDO VIRTUTUM Jeff Bird plays HIldegard von Bingen vol 2
featured on CBC In Concert with Paolo Pietropaolo
ORDO VIRTUTUM Jeff Bird plays HIldegard von Bingen vol 2
featured on CBC In Concert with Paolo Pietropaolo
New Recording
THE SHIELD OF REDEMPTION
Greetings. I trust all is well with you and yours.
During our covid break from live performance I began exploring the music of Hildegard von Bingen's 12th century morality play "Ordo Virtutum", considered to be one of the first documented musical dramas. I made an arrangement of one of the pieces for harmonica, shruti box and 20 piece string orchestra. I then enlisted the Fames Project orchestra in Northern Macedonia to record it remotley for me. I am tickled with the results I hope you will be to.
You can find it on Bandcamp or on the streaming platform of your choice. I am also pleased to report that CBC has chosen this track for their June 15 edition of the weekly program "Songs You Need to Hear"
"Hildegard von Bingen on harmonica? Absolutely! Jeff Bird's new album, Felix Anima, is a stunner. " CBC Music
For over 30 years I have been possessed by the glorious music of Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179). Yes thats right, she was around over 800 years ago. All great music is timeless. I have experimented with her music on earlier recordings but finally decided to devote a whole album to her work.
Hildegard first and foremost is a song writer. The phrasing and rhythm of her music is naturally guided by the words and the breath of the singer. Playing the harmonica and the shruti box at the same time allowed me to tap into those rhythms. The harmonica is all about breathing. The pumping of the shruti box bellows has it's own inherent breath. The vibration of the harmonica in my head and the thrumming of the shruti box against my chest combined with Hildegard's sublime melodies is truly a mind altering experience. Through these instrumental interpretations I was able to explore her music in a more abstract way using her phrases and lines as source material. This took me deep into her musical universe.
I augmented the tracks with the magical piano playing of my long time musical brother Witek Grabowiecki.
I also played electric mandolin, futujara, lap steel and music box.
Please enjoy my recording of the transcendent music of Hildegard of Bingen. Jeff Bird
Hildegard first and foremost is a song writer. The phrasing and rhythm of her music is naturally guided by the words and the breath of the singer. Playing the harmonica and the shruti box at the same time allowed me to tap into those rhythms. The harmonica is all about breathing. The pumping of the shruti box bellows has it's own inherent breath. The vibration of the harmonica in my head and the thrumming of the shruti box against my chest combined with Hildegard's sublime melodies is truly a mind altering experience. Through these instrumental interpretations I was able to explore her music in a more abstract way using her phrases and lines as source material. This took me deep into her musical universe.
I augmented the tracks with the magical piano playing of my long time musical brother Witek Grabowiecki.
I also played electric mandolin, futujara, lap steel and music box.
Please enjoy my recording of the transcendent music of Hildegard of Bingen. Jeff Bird
"Jeff
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
So beautiful ....I have been playing it all day
Gratefully
David"
David Earle
Dance Theatre David Earle
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
So beautiful ....I have been playing it all day
Gratefully
David"
David Earle
Dance Theatre David Earle
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Many of my instruments come from THE HARMONICA COMPANY. Their selection of manufacturers and models is second to none. Highly recommended!
for more information about Jeff Bird
www.jeffbird.com
www.jeffbird.com