Mike Block Trio - In Concert

4225 NW 34th Street,Gainesville FL 32605

13 January, 2023

Description

Magnolia Roots Music Presents MIKE BLOCK TRIO Friday, January 13th, 2023, 7:30 pm (doors open 7:00 pm) 4225 NW 34th Street, Gainesville FL (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship) TICKETS: $25 here in advance (plus $3.16 fee to Eventbrite) $30 at door (cash preferred) 100% of ticket sales go to the band. For information, contact Ken Meyer, 352-514-5606, [email protected] MIKE BLOCK TRIO, featuring Zachariah Hickman (bass/vocals) and Joe K. Walsh (mandolin/vocals), is led by cello player, singer, and composer Mike Block, who has been hailed as “one of the bravest, most intriguing musicians on the American fusion scene” by Gramaphone Magazine. The Trio fertilizes American roots music with contemporary and international influences, bringing an exciting and personal perspective to acoustic music. "daringly taking his trio towards new musical possibilities … a rousing musical breakdown with classical music themes and progressive preciseness. Block takes a more urban approach here, giving bluegrass a bold statement, where the worlds of Del McCoury meet Mahavishnu Orchestra.” - Glide Magazine “A collection of playful and stoic reinterpretations of Appalachian folk and world beat music. Never before have we heard the combination of these three instruments traverse such a wide breadth of music so effortlessly; it’s equal parts Baroque, bluegrass and latin jazz, virtuosic all the same.” - WBUR Boston “a burst of musical potency to the ears … chamber music stirred gently with a bluegrass spoon. These fellows have a good grip on entertainment with classical instruments. Highly recommended.” - Americana Highways “A supergroup of three virtuosic players…” - Saratoga Today  Mike Block is a pioneering cello player, singer, composer and educator passionate about cross-cultural collaboration through music, inspiring individuals, and connecting communities. He has been praised for his "vital rich-hued solo playing” (New York Times) and as “a true artist... a sight to behold” (Salt Lake City Desert News). Mike has performed as a concerto soloist with the Illinois Symphony, The Knights, China National Philharmonic (Beijing), Shanghai Symphony, and Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra; and has collaborated in performances and recordings with Stevie Wonder, The Eagles, Bon Iver, Will.i.am, The National, The New York Philharmonic, Bobby McFerrin, Allison Krauss, Rhiannon Giddens, Mark O'Connor, Rachel Barton Pine, Edgar Meyer, Julian Lage, and many others. Since 2005, Mike has been a member of Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble, during which he has been featured as a cello and vocal soloist while contributing to the group’s 2017 album Sing Me Home, for which they received a Grammy Award. Emerging as Yo-Yo Ma’s go-to arranger, Mr. Ma has performed and recorded dozens of Mike’s arrangements on 5 continents. Mr. Ma’s 2021 album, “Notes for the Future”, features cello parts Mike composed on four of nine tracks, including both singles. Zachariah Hickman is a double bassist, singer, multi-instrumentalist and producer who received his formal training in jazz performance and composition from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. For most of his career, he has toured and recorded seven albums with singer-songwriter Josh Ritter. He also performs with and is musical director for Ray Lamontagne. His television work includes appearances on David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Ellen Degeneres, and Late Night with Jools Holland for the BBC. He also has produced and ring-mastered his own circus, released his own brand of mustache wax, and runs a vaudeville style variety show. Joe K. Walsh is a mandolinist and singer known internationally as an exceptionally tasteful player from his work with the legendary Gibson Brothers band, which was awarded as Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, and Song of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association. He has released three recordings of his own featuring original compositions and friends Grant Gordy, Brittany Haas, and legendary fiddler Darol Anger, with whom Joe regularly tours in the band Mr. Sun. Joe was Berklee College of Music’s first mandolin student and has served as the school’s mandolin instructor and Managing Director of the American Roots Music Program since 2011. Lots of great videos here: https://www.mikeblockmusic.com/trioepk