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| Working at the Wood and Stone Room in Baltimore for We're About 9 |
Sometimes an artist might only know they want cello on a
song, but they don’t have any particular ideas of the kind of part they want.
In a case like this I’m more than happy to take the lead on developing a part based on draft recordings you send me,
and we can discuss ideas. I’m very comfortable playing by ear and improvising. If
you have specific lines or parts in mind, it is extremely helpful if you can
provide sheet music (bass clef preferred, but I can read/adapt treble clef). Or
even a lead sheet with lyrics/chords, and any notes/specifics. Not required
though, I can work by ear – but it does help to have any of your ideas/requests
in advance, as much as possible. It’s
also very helpful to know what other instrumentation is going to be on the
song, if not all the parts have been laid down yet.
I enjoy the collaborative process, but I also very much
respect the “my song, my way” concept. If it’s playable, I’ll do my best to
make it happen! I’m comfortable trying different things on the spot in the
studio – but time is money for your studio hours, so as much as we can work out
in advance is good. I am told I work very quickly in the studio – usually if I’ve had time to prepare on my own, 1 hour is enough time to get one song done unless we’re layering/trying multiple parts.
My rates are based on a few things:
- How many songs you want (if between 1-3, I can
generally get them done in 1 recording session)
- Where your recording studio is and travel time (see
note below on remote recording!)
- How much prep time I think I’ll need based on your
vision/ideas for the song(s)
- Whether you want to meet/rehearse beforehand. I do
charge extra for this (though less if you are able to meet at my home in
Baltimore). Most of the time I find rehearsals aren't necessary, as I’ll prepare with
the track(s) and discuss ideas with you beforehand. I can also send rough “conceptual”
audio files you can listen to and give me feedback on (I factor this into my
rate, if it’s something you want).
Please email me with as much of the above information as
you can, and I’ll get back to you with rates/availability.
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| My home recording book nook |
Recording my parts at home is something I've offered for awhile, for clients who don't live in the area and/or when scheduling gets trickier. Now in the COVID-19 area, I'm doing a lot more of it! My husband rob Hinkal (of ilyAIMY) has a professional recording
setup with Adobe Audition and high quality mics (we generally use Audio Technica AE5100 and an AE3000 to get a nice blend of different cello tones). After I receive your song in progress, he can record me at home and
we can send stereo wav files to your engineer to mix.
ilyAIMY's full-band album cicada was recorded and mixed entirely by rob in our basement, as were several of my own recordings you'll find on my Bandcamp page. Click here and here for examples of client recordings I did from home.
ilyAIMY's full-band album cicada was recorded and mixed entirely by rob in our basement, as were several of my own recordings you'll find on my Bandcamp page. Click here and here for examples of client recordings I did from home.
Hope this gives you some helpful information about what I
do in the studio. Here’s what some other folks I’ve played for have to say:
"Mince no words! Kristen is an absolute joy to have on your musical project! Kristen is well known as a top-tier cellist for studio work and performances, so I was really thrilled when she agreed to add cello to tunes on my second CD, "For the Heart to Learn." The cello tracks that Kristen laid down in the studio for this CD are so soulful and captivating. And Kristen's wonderful cello accompaniment is but half the story. Her vocal harmonies on this project are absolutely "spot on" and emanate an honesty and beauty that absolutely captures a listener's heart. In addition, it should be noted that the soulfulness and the artistry that Kristen brings to a project is matched by her incredible efficiency in the studio. I was stunned at what she accomplished in a couple 2-1/2 hour sessions! If I sound "over the top" for Kristen...well, I am!" - Russ Arlotta
"I absolutely love to hear Kristen perform in her various bands and it was an honor to have her join my band for the CD release concert (after adding some amazing cello to the CD). The cello is one of my favorite instruments and if one of my songs cries out for that sound, it will always be Kristen who I will call. If you know what you want, Kristen will take care of it. If you don't, she will create it. I'll be going in shortly to record my third CD and some of my songs are already shouting at me to get in touch with her. Don't worry, songs - I will!"
- David Potts-Dupre
"I vouch 110% for Kristen's musicianship, tone, creativity and respect. Always the right choice for your track!"
- Lea Morris
"Before I found Kristen, I researched several other local cellists, but none matched her in sound or interpretation. Kristen is truly a magnificent player who was super easy to work with. She was able to learn parts I wrote very quickly and faithfully, and adapted instantly during studio recording. She understood what emotional tonal quality I wanted and was happy to redo any sections I wanted to change. Kristen is a very easygoing person and got back to my emails reliably." - Allison Chang
"Kristen Jones makes everything sound better!" - Michelle Citrin
"What can I say about Kristen that hasn't been said? She is an AMAZING musician, and equally AMAZING arranger, and person. She is always my go-to person anytime I think of adding cello to a musical project. She has this lovely ability to hear what needs to be there, so not only can she play your music from a sheet if you needed her to - but if you give her the freedom to sit with your piece, she will give it the magical cello-y wings to make it not only fly, but SOAR. She is the only choice for cello in my humble opinion, and I feel honored to have worked with her for many years."
- Mosno Al-Moseeki
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| Vocals for Russ Arlotta's project, Zan McLeod engineering |
"I absolutely love to hear Kristen perform in her various bands and it was an honor to have her join my band for the CD release concert (after adding some amazing cello to the CD). The cello is one of my favorite instruments and if one of my songs cries out for that sound, it will always be Kristen who I will call. If you know what you want, Kristen will take care of it. If you don't, she will create it. I'll be going in shortly to record my third CD and some of my songs are already shouting at me to get in touch with her. Don't worry, songs - I will!"
- David Potts-Dupre
"I vouch 110% for Kristen's musicianship, tone, creativity and respect. Always the right choice for your track!"
- Lea Morris
"Before I found Kristen, I researched several other local cellists, but none matched her in sound or interpretation. Kristen is truly a magnificent player who was super easy to work with. She was able to learn parts I wrote very quickly and faithfully, and adapted instantly during studio recording. She understood what emotional tonal quality I wanted and was happy to redo any sections I wanted to change. Kristen is a very easygoing person and got back to my emails reliably." - Allison Chang
"Kristen Jones makes everything sound better!" - Michelle Citrin
"What can I say about Kristen that hasn't been said? She is an AMAZING musician, and equally AMAZING arranger, and person. She is always my go-to person anytime I think of adding cello to a musical project. She has this lovely ability to hear what needs to be there, so not only can she play your music from a sheet if you needed her to - but if you give her the freedom to sit with your piece, she will give it the magical cello-y wings to make it not only fly, but SOAR. She is the only choice for cello in my humble opinion, and I feel honored to have worked with her for many years."
- Mosno Al-Moseeki
