Critically acclaimed as a prolific songwriter and passionate performer, GRAMMY nominee and composer Celeste Friedman leaves you inspired as well as entertained. Noted as a brilliant raconteur and a painter of lyrical portraits, she is the granddaughter of big-band leader Leo Reichert.
In just the last two years, Friedman has scored the music for the Pulitzer Prize nominated play, "The Glory of Living"; the first season of the cable thriller, “Ghost Hunter”; the pilot for “The French Kitchen”; and her work is featured in the short film, "Young Folks”, showcased in Festival de Cannes-2008.
Celeste’s latest CD, released March 5, 2009, features live performances over the past 15 years from the famed Bluebird Café in Nashville.
In 2007, Friedman was chosen as one of the 50 writers from the 50 states, included in the compilation, “All States, All Stars”, featuring her haunting ballad, “Wild Horses”. 20,000 copies of this 3-CD boxed set was sent to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, totaling up to one million songs of Music For the Troops.
Nominated for a GRAMMY Award in 2005 and the winner of the 2005 Ohioana Library Citation Award in Music and Education, Ms. Friedman's contributions have been recognized by The Points of Light Foundation, The Ohio State University, Voices of Hope, The Ohio Bicentennial Commission and the Department of Education of The State of New York. For her music works featured in both 1995 and 1997 MDA Telethons, Celeste is the recipient of two Pat Weaver Award nominations.
"a painter of lyrical portraits"
. . . Legend Magazine
"everyone should be singing her songs!"
. . . Craig Harris, The Boston Globe
National media credits include National Public Radio, Music Choice, A Prairie Home Companion, Live! with Regis and Kelly and the ESPN Network. Internationally her music has garnered global airplay and rave reviews.
In 2006, Friedman's music was featured in the Pulitzer Prize nominated play, "The Glory of Living", on stage at the Warehouse Theater in Washington, D.C., directed by Michael Chamberlin.
In 2008, Friedman's work in the short film, "Young Folks" was showcased in Festival de Cannes.
Friedman's work has been showcased in the following Film Festivals:
Festival de Cannes, France, 2008
Festival 7 Jours Art et Polar, Reims, France, 2008
Festival Della Creativa, Florence, Italy, 2007
Rhode Island International Film Festival, 2007
New England Student Film Festival, 2007
Rebel Planet Film Festival, Los Angeles, 2007
deadCenter Film Festival, Oklahoma City. 2007
Arts Fest Harrisburg, PA Film Festival, 2007
The Long Island International Film Festival, 2007
Asian Arts Festival, Brown University, 2007
Ottawa International Animation Festival, Canada, 2007