“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.”
About
Mike Block Trio, featuring Joe K. Walsh (mandolin/vocals) and Zachariah Hickman (bass/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 Gramophone Magazine. The trio fertilizes American roots music with contemporary and international influences, bringing an exciting and personal perspective to the acoustic music scene.
“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.”
Videos
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![Mike Block, Mike Block Trio]()
Mike Block
Mike Block is a Grammy Award-winning cellist, singer and composer with a passion for cross-cultural collaboration. Hailed as “one of the bravest, most intriguing musicians on the American fusion scene,” (Gramophone) he has been a member of the Silkroad Ensemble for nearly twenty years, and directs Silkroad’s Global Musician Workshop. Yo-Yo Ma calls Block “the ideal musician for the 21st century,” saying, “I’m always struck by his unique perspective on the world and his relaxed and confident approach; he takes on new music and new things fearlessly.”
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![Joe K. Walsh, Mike Block Trio]()
Joe K. Walsh
Joe K. Walsh is a Bluegrass mandolin player and singer known internationally as an exceptionally tasteful player from his work with the legendary Gibson Brothers band, which the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) has named winner of awards for Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, and Song of the Year. Joe has also released two recordings under his own name, featuring original compositions and vocals, as well as friend and legendary fiddler Darol Anger, with whom Joe regularly tours in the band Mr. Sun. After being the first mandolinist to graduate from the Berklee College of Music on that instrument, Joe returned to Berklee in 2011 as both a mandolin instructor and as Managing Director of the American Roots Music Program.
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![Zachariah Hickman, Mike Block Trio]()
Zachariah Hickman
Zachariah Hickman is a double bassist, singer, multi-instrumentalist and producer based out of Boston, MA. Originally from Lynchburg, VA, he received his formal training in jazz performance and composition from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. For most of his adult life he has toured with singer-songwriter Josh Ritter, traveling all over the world and recording 7 full-length albums. Currently, he is performing as bassist and musical director for Ray Lamontagne. Television appearances include five David Letterman appearances, Conan O’brien, Ellen Degeneres, and Late Night with Jools Holland for the BBC. As a producer, Zachariah as made records with a number of talented singers, including Rose Cousins (for which he won a Canadian JUNO award), Mark Erelli, Laura Cortese, Miss Tess, and his own bluegrass band Barnstar! He has also produced and ringmastered his own circus, released his own brand of mustache wax, and runs a vaudeville style variety show, Zack Hickman’s House of Ill Repute.
“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. ”
“a supergroup of three virtuosic players”
Tour
“delivered enormous stage presence and energy, with a highly diverse program.”
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