Biography

Celeste is a 2009 winner of a Grindie Award for her album, "Live at the Bluebird Cafe".
Check out this latest review on Radio Indy and Digg.com!

“Live at the Bluebird Cafe” is a March 2009 release by Grammy nominee artist Celeste. Featured on this album is a wonderful collection of performances highlighting Celeste’s vocal abilities with various styles and lyrics. This highly talented country/blues singer and songwriter kicks out vocals that are melodic, strong, and alluring. Her bluesy and bold lyrics on “I Can Change My Mind” will have all women nodding their heads in agreement. “Suddenly, We’re All French” has witty and fun lyrics which Celeste delivers with easy flowing spoken wordplay. Sweet and tender, “Body and Soul” shows the diversity in style this delightful singer has to offer. Celeste’s “Live at the Bluebird Café” is a great album to hear especially if you’re looking for some new and refreshing country and blues.
-Diane and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team


Bio~
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 released three albums; 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.

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.

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, BlogTalkRadio and the ESPN Network. Internationally her music has garnered global airplay and rave reviews, reaching Number One on the charts in Europe in 2007 with her single, "Another Rock In My Shoe".

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

Projects released in 2009:
“Live at the Bluebird Café”- featuring 16 live recordings of Celeste’s performances at the famed
Bluebird Café in Nashville.
"The Tide"- includes all original Contemporary Christian, Gospel and Inspirational tunes.