Jim Couza
Encyclopedia
Jim Couza was an American
hammered dulcimer
player born in New Bedford, Massachusetts
, April 27, 1945 and resident in England
since 1982; he died in 2009. In addition to the hammered dulcimer, Couza also played Appalachian dulcimer
and guitar
. He made several recordings, both solo and with the D'Uberville Ramblers. He also worked with Björk
on the album Post, and with Peter Gabriel
on OVO
(Couza is featured on a track called "The Time Of The Turning (reprise) / Weavers Reel"). He also worked with Celtic singer songwriter Jim Fox, performing at many venues and festivals around the UK. Couza suffered a number of health problems in recent years resulting in amputation of both his legs. He died on 2 August 2009.
Jim was one of the early musicians at Tryworks Coffeehouse in New Bedford, Massachusetts
. In those days he played a well used but good sounding Gibson guitar
and a banjo, and sang mostly British Isles music with a distinctive voice. He was living in Acushnet, Massachusetts
in the early '70s when he started to play the hammer dulcimer.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
hammered dulcimer
Hammered dulcimer
The hammered dulcimer is a stringed musical instrument with the strings stretched over a trapezoidal sounding board. Typically, the hammered dulcimer is set on a stand, at an angle, before the musician, who holds small mallet hammers in each hand to strike the strings...
player born in New Bedford, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, April 27, 1945 and resident in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
since 1982; he died in 2009. In addition to the hammered dulcimer, Couza also played Appalachian dulcimer
Appalachian dulcimer
The Appalachian dulcimer is a fretted string instrument of the zither family, typically with three or four strings. It is native to the Appalachian region of the United States...
and guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
. He made several recordings, both solo and with the D'Uberville Ramblers. He also worked with Björk
Björk
Björk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
on the album Post, and with Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
on OVO
OVO
OVO is the soundtrack to the Millennium Dome Show in London that was composed by Peter Gabriel. It was his eleventh album overall. It was released on 29 August 2000 and features guest vocals by Neneh Cherry, Rosco, Richie Havens, Elizabeth Fraser and Paul Buchanan...
(Couza is featured on a track called "The Time Of The Turning (reprise) / Weavers Reel"). He also worked with Celtic singer songwriter Jim Fox, performing at many venues and festivals around the UK. Couza suffered a number of health problems in recent years resulting in amputation of both his legs. He died on 2 August 2009.
Jim was one of the early musicians at Tryworks Coffeehouse in New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, located south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and about east of Fall River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 95,072, making it the sixth-largest city in Massachusetts...
. In those days he played a well used but good sounding Gibson guitar
Gibson Guitar Corporation
The Gibson Guitar Corporation, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently of Nashville, Tennessee, manufactures guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names...
and a banjo, and sang mostly British Isles music with a distinctive voice. He was living in Acushnet, Massachusetts
Acushnet, Massachusetts
Acushnet is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 10,303 at the 2010 census.- History :Acushnet was first settled in 1659. It has been included as a part of three separate towns throughout its history. It was formerly the northeastern section of the town of...
in the early '70s when he started to play the hammer dulcimer.
Discography
- Angels Hoverin' Round, Folktrax FTX-909 (1972)
- Brightest And Best, Greenwich Village GVR211 (1982)
- Music For The Hammered Dulcimer (aka The Enchanted Valley) (with Eileen Monger), Saydisc CD-SDL335 (1983)
- Friends & Neighbors, Greenwich Village GVR221 (1983)
- Appalachian Beach Party (with the D'Uberville Ramblers), Dragon Records, DRGNCD922 (1992)
- Out Of The Shadowlands, Folksound Records, FSCD14 (1993)