about us
almost olive is jacqui armbruster and karl henry: two likeminded, multi-faceted multi-instrumentalists who bring their omnivorous musical approaches to songwriting and arranging, crafting songs and tunes informed by tradition and inspired by the ever-changing musical landscape that surrounds them.
through vulnerable storytelling, tight vocal harmony, infectious groove, and the occasional detour through an old time romp, the duo explores the vastness of the human experience through two voices and four hands constantly at work.
karl (cello, voice, bass)
hailing from sioux falls, sd, karl henry has played music since he can remember. his broad diet of diverse musical styles has informed the eclectic and potent musical force he has become on the cello and whatever else he can get his hands on.
karl is inspired by imitation, and transforms the role and potential of the cello by imitating sounds/approaches used by other instruments - rolls, fingerpicking, and strumming techniques adapted from guitar and banjo players all wind their way into his music, and he can be found playing his cello sideways about half the time at shows with delicacy and propulsive force that few can match.
karl earned his bachelor of music degree from oberlin conservatory and later pursued graduate studies in the contemporary musical arts program at the new england conservatory. as a nationally touring musician, karl performs with his bands high horse and almost olive, serves as the cellist in quartet davis, and plays as a sideman with ajaeng virtuoso yoona kim and the genre-blurring group acoustic nomads.
jacqui armbruster is an awarding winning fiddler, multi-instrumentalist, improviser, singer and songwriter driven by a pursuit of vulnerable and honest expression through music. as an active performer in the greater boston area, jacqui can be found in a wide array of musical settings ranging from symphonic concert halls to house shows. jacqui’s musical collaborations reflect their diverse passions- whether in a string quartet, an old-time jam, or sharing their original tunes in a songwriters’ circle, jacqui brings their patchwork of passions to each opportunity they get to share music with others.
jacqui holds a bachelors of music from oberlin conservatory and a masters degree in contemporary musical arts from new england conservatory. you can see them playing in almost olive, kat wallace band, the witherbees, or perusing through the vinyl at their local thrift store.
jacqui (guitar, voice, fiddle)
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