Into The Shimmering by Marianne Grittani

She wrote her first songs on the first instrument built by now world remowned luthier, Linda Manzer.

It was a dulcimer on which she was also quick to learn the songs on Joni Mitchell's 'Blue' album.

Circumstances landed her a job at popular London Ontario folk club Smale's Pace, the same ground that spawned and nurtured her songwriter pals Willie P.

Bennett, Laura Smith and Stan Rogers.

It was Stan, overhearing her through an open window at her home, that encouraged her to keep writing.

She followed his advice.

She was also lucky enough to learn first hand from Taj Mahal, Ry Cooder, Jerry Jeff Walker, Bruce Cockburn, David Wilcoox and many other musicians that were all generous enough to share licks and tricks with this keen young songwriter/guitar player.

Her album is dedicated to the memory of dearly missed friend and mentor Colleen Peterson.

It's no surprise that she now shares her own music - which she calls 'folky, funky and anything in between' - with enthusiatic audiences in clubs, coffee houses and concerts.

She is a lover of many different kinds of music and as a result her body of work is stylistically diverse and unpredictable.

'Songwriting is a process of discovery that is endlessly fascinating to me.

It's where I come to terms with my own frailties and flaws, joys, losses - all the complexities of being human.

It is a very, very deep well, let me tell you! When I dip into it, I never know what might emerge or what musical flavour it will be.

And I don't really care.

For better or worse, I don't feel constrained by identifying myself with any particular style.

Music is my playground, and sharing it, my delight.' At Folk Alliance 2001 she made an impression, at a standing room only showcase and in the lobby, stairwells and hallways of the hotel where she jammed with musicians from around the globe.

The following week, her music was heard on radio stations across the U.S.

and she received invitations to festivals south of the border.

Attending her showcase was renowned blues artist Guy Davis.

The result was an invitation to open his upcoming show in Vancouver.

Following her set, a new fan came to her product table and said to her 'no one has ever made me laugh and cry within the first 4 songs'.

Emails that came in after the show reflected similar sentiments regarding the sincerity and intimacy of her performance.

Marianne's music affects people on a soulful level.

Which only makes sense as that's where it comes from.

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