In brokenness, beauty finds a voice. Healing sings.
This bitter-sweet view is the heart of Bray & Maclean’s songs and performance.
An evening with these artists is a heart-felt outpouring of joy, sorrow, resilience and redemption - often looking at what is difficult or unsettling and speaking truth to shadow.
Throughout, there is a sense of lightness, humour and compassion, a vulnerable and authentic invitation to abandon fear and embrace love.
Both songwriters are veteran travellers climbing the steep path towards equanimity - musical and life mileage clearly visible.
The newest member of the trio, Chris Breitner, adds a rich earthy resonance on double bass, and occasional spine-tingling third harmonies.
Through artful musicianship and graceful harmonies, the trio offers a beacon of hope in a world often shrouded in and by our collective darkness.
Don Bray
Don Bray is a singer-songwriter, guitarist, recording engineer and producer from Ottawa, Canada. He’s been playing guitar and writing songs longer than most of us have been alive.
In 1969 after seeing Bruce Cockburn in concert he recalls thinking “That’s what I want to do with the guitar.” Of course he felt that way about Jeff Beck and Leo Kottke as well.
Growing up, his musical seeds were watered by the songwriting genius of The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, and many more.
These days you’ll find him dazzling audiences with his lyrical prowess and impressive guitar, hollow-neck lap slide, mandolin and banjo playing. To Don, songs are all about the emotion and he invites you to imbibe.
Over the years, Don has toured Canada played numerous Folk Festivals and recorded 6 solo CDs. Accolades for his songwriting, include those from the Great American Songwriting Contest (acoustic/folk category), the Tuscon Folk Festival Songwriters Contest, and an Ontario Council of Folk Festivals' (Folk Music Ontario) Songs From the Heart award. His songs have been played on CBC and numerous Folk music radio shows.
His favourite performances are House Concerts.
Don lives in Carleton Place, Ontario with his partner Mel and two cats, Squeaky Monroe and Joni Mitchell.
For more about Don, please visit donbray.ca.
Chris MacLean
A consummate explorer, Chris MacLean adeptly stretches herself across a wide musical spectrum, from Trad and Contemporary Folk to Jazz and World music. Her songs are a collage inspired by the many travels and transformations in her life. As she says, “Things fall apart. Every living being comes from darkness into light and each metamorphosis in life retraces that original journey. We are constantly breaking and building, unfolding and unfurling.” Her songs reflect a certain well-earned wisdom.
In her 30+ years experience, Chris has crafted a unique musical career – as Performing Singer-Songwriter, Community Choir Leader, and registered Voice Movement Therapy Practitioner. She accompanies her bell-like voice with instrumental versatility on guitar, mandolin, ukulele, piano and percussion.
With several recordings under her belt, Chris has earned high acclaim, including the Colleen Peterson Award for Songwriting from the Ontario Arts Council, a nod for English Songwriter of the Year from the Canadian Folk Music Awards, and Folk Music Ontario's Songs from the Heart award for Best Historical Song.
Her musical endeavours have been generously supported by esteemed organizations including, The Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, and FACTOR.
In addition to her collaboration with Bray & MacLean, Chris is a vital member of the acoustic sisterhood, Paugan Dames, whose vocal harmonies delight audiences across West Quebec and beyond.
Chris lives with her partner, Rick and their pup, Prince, in a hand-crafted home, nestled in the Gatineau Hills north of Ottawa, Canada.
For more about Chris, please visit chrismaclean.com.