The flute has to be one of the most soothing instruments of all, and in the hands of a sensitive multi-talented artist like Ann Licater it’s sound is a gift to the body, mind, and spirit. On her latest release, Invitation from Within Ann plays silver and alto flute, as well as Native American flutes. The album features solo, duet, and multi-instrumental compositions. Accompanists include co-producers Peter Phippen on bass and percussion, and Ivar Lunde on piano, as well as some of my favorite artists like vocalist Lis Addison, and Jeff Oster on trumpet, among others. Ann’s interest in spirituality and the healing qualities of music is evident on this recording and this album provides a deeply relaxing listening experience. I have greatly enjoyed Ann Licater’s previous releases, and Invitation from Within is no exception, in fact it is my new favorite.
Ann Licater’s passion for the inspirational and healing music of the Native American flute was ignited at a powwow where she heard the beautiful call of a flute being played. Being an accomplished silver flutist herself, Ann followed that call to a booth where she purchased the first of many Native American and World flutes heard in her recordings Invitation from Within, Doorway to a Dream and Following the Call. On those albums, as in her healing concerts, Ann’s unique approach merges her intuition, spiritual perspective and traditional music background to create beautiful original melodies and inspired improvisational compositions. Her love of the wood and clay flutes led her to study with master flutist R. Carlos Nakai at the Renaissance of the Native American Flute, complementing her years of classical flute training at the MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis, MN.
Invitation from Within is Ann’s third album and her second time working with 
GRAMMY®-nominee Peter Phippen in a co-producer role Invitation from Within a work of musical art. It’s nominated for three 2014 ZMR Lifestyle Music Awards in the following categories: Best Relaxation/Meditation Album; Best Native American Album and Best Instrumental Acoustic Album. Angels on the Wind, the first track on that album is nominated for a 2014 Hollywood Music in Media Award in the Best New Age/Ambient Song category.
Invitation from Within is a pristine recording (a standard of Licater’s studio work), powerfully relaxing and artistically expressed. In addition to performing on Native American flutes, Ann returns to her musical roots playing silver and alto flutes on the album. Adding to the mix of meditative world flutes are many sound healing instruments including hand-held, quartz crystal bowls ,Afro-Peruvian cajon, conga and metal tongue drum vocals layers and piano. Peter Phippen (a student of renowned jazz bassist Steve Swallow) plays American Fender Precision bass– the only electronic instrument weaving in and out of the otherwise acoustic environment of relaxing spa-inspired music.
Ann’s preparation for creating Invitation from Within included her October 2012 trip to Rome and Florence, Italy where she performed at the Awakened World Conference which was sponsored by the Association of New Thought and the International Inter-religious Peace Council. There she met peace activist Ela Gandhi from South Africa who was inspired by Ann’s flute playing and its affect on her and stated, “Ann Licater’s music is soft and yet overpowering, it reaches the depth of my being and awakens the spirit inside of me.”
