With an enchanting voice and unique sounds of her harp, American singer and songwriter Kristi Bartleson and her band reddesert build inviting bridges between world and pop music. They create catchy and exotic sound patterns inspired by jazz, folk, classical and rock music.

Biography

Kristi Bartleson, originally from Colorado, graduated with honors from Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. She has played New York's Carnegie Hall with the "Select Eastman Orchestra" and as part of the "Colorado Symphony Orchestra." She has accompanied legendary acts "The Who, Crosby, Stills and Nash" and "The Moody Blues." Kristi has been living in the Swiss canton of Zug since 1994.

The Band

The musical roots of Kristi Bartleson's band, reddesert, could hardly be more diverse. Four musicians with backgrounds in classical, jazz, folk, rock and pop have joined forces to produce their own personal definition of world music. At first appearance, they are incompatible forces that suddenly fuse together in a colorful music style. The rhythmic force of pop and rock (Marc Draeger - drums and percussion, David Zopfi - bass), the exotic tunes of scales of ethnic wind instruments (Sandro Friedrich) and the alluring melodies of the harp all meld together. Weave the ethereal voice of Kristi Bartleson, along with back-up vocals of Stefanie Hess, into the mix and you have a sound difficult to compare to others, yet quick to get under your skin.

Press Comments

"Refreshing and unconventional" - Neue Zuger Zeitung
"The compositions are evidence of tastefullness and fragility" - Zuger Presse
"Kristi Bartleson's harp playing and voice remind one of an angel" - Zugerbieter