Mike Block

Mike Block
Born	(1982-05-25) May 25, 1982
Origin	Boston, MA, USA
Genres	Classical, folk, jazz, fiddling, bluegrass, oldtime, rock, pop, blues, Scottish, Appalachian, Asian, Arabic
Occupation(s)	Cellist, Singer, Arranger, Composer, Record Producer,
Instruments	Cello, Voice,
Years active	fl. ca. 2006–present
Associated acts	Yo-Yo Ma, Silk Road Ensemble, Mark O'Connor, Darol Anger
Website	http://www.MikeBlockMusic.com

Michael Glen Block (born May 25, 1982) is an American cellist, singer, composer, arranger, and solo artist hailed as "the ideal musician of the twenty-first century" by cultural icon Yo-Yo Ma.^[1][2] Mike Block has worked with Yo-Yo Ma, Bobby McFerrin, Lenny Kravitz, Shakira, The National, Joe Zawinul, Alison Krauss, Rachel Barton Pine, Mark O'Connor, and other notable musicians.^[3] Block currently plays with the Silk Road Ensemble.^[4] In January, 2014, Block married fiddler and composer Hanneke Cassel.^[5]

Performances

In addition to his solo performances and multiple duo collaborations, Block is most famous for playing second cello alongside Yo-Yo Ma.^[6] He also performed in Mark O'Connor's Appalachia Waltz trio for three years.^[7] His performances have been described as "vital, rich-hued solo playing" by the New York Times,^[8] and "a true artist ... a sight to behold" by the Salt Lake City Deseret News.^[9]

Summer Camps

In 2009 Block founded The Mike Block String Camp, which takes place in Vero Beach, Florida. Teachers provide instruction in multiple traditions, develop improvisational skills, and coach student bands in preparation for public performances.^[10]

In 2012 Block started the Brooklyn Pop String Camp in NYC, which aims to nurture young children's passion for playing music they like to listen to.^[11]

Teaching

In 2012, Block was appointed Associate Professor of Music at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, USA.^[12]

A frequent guest lecturer, Mr. Block has also presented at Stanford University, Princeton University, Harvard University, New York University, Berklee College of Music, Cleveland Institute of Music, New England Conservatory, Belmont University, Southern Methodist University, Sam Houston State University, Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, and University of Arkansas. In 2006, he received Suzuki method certification in music education from the New York City-based School for Strings, under Pamela Devenport.^[13]

From 2009 -2012, Mike was the Lead Teaching Artist for Silk Road Connect, a partnership between the Silk Road Project and schools in New York City and Boston areas.^[14]

Discography

• Brick by Brick, 2012. A mostly solo project, featuring songs for cello and voice that were all written and recorded while missing 9 teeth, as the result of a traffic accident.
• Naïve Melody, 2011. Triborough Trio. Instrumental album featuring traditional and contemporary music from around the world.
• After the Factory Closes, 2010. Mike Block Band. Instrumental album featuring original music influenced by many styles.
• Words R Words, 2009. Mike Block Band. Album featuring all original songs.

Director of Music Festivals

Mike created the Vero Beach International Music Festival in 2014, which features performances by students and faculty of the Mike Block String Camp.^[15]

From 2011–2012, Mike was the Artistic Director and host of GALA Brooklyn: "Global Art - Local Art:", a Music Festival in Brooklyn featuring a diverse array of musicians and artists in unique collaborations. Notable guests include Anthony Mcgill (Metropolitan Opera), Aoife O’Donovan (singer for Crooked Still), Aaron Dugan (guitarist for Matisyahu), Multi-genre violinist/composer Todd Reynolds, Grammy-Nominated classical artists Anastasia Khitruk (violin), and the Enso Quartet, Marcus Printup from Jazz at Lincoln Center, and jazz saxophonist Seamus Blake, and singer-songwriter Amy Correia.^[16]

Mike Block has also served as musical director to cellist Yo-Yo Ma, singer Bobby McFerrin, ballet star Damien Woetzel, jookin dancer Lil’ Buck, actor/comedian Bill Irwin, jazz trumpeter Marcus Printup, world-music group The Silk Road Ensemble, and classical orchestra The Knights.

Collaborative projects

Duo with Rachel Barton Pine, Classical Violinist ^[17]

Duo with Sandeep Das, Indian Tabla Player ^[18]

Duo with Balla Kouyate, Balafon player from Mali ^[19]

Duo with Clay Ross, guitarist and singer ^[20]

Duo with Hanneke Cassel, Celtic fiddler ^[21]

Duo with Yang Wei, Chinese Pipa player ^[22]

Duo with Darol Anger, Mult-genre fiddler ^[23]

Mike Block has also performed with notable musicians such as Edgar Meyer, Mike Marshall, Zakir Hussain, My Brightest Diamond, St. Vincent, Bon Iver, Tim O’Brien, Marcel Khaliffe, Goran Bregovic, Kayhan Kalhor and Bruce Molsky.

Past Projects:

Mike Block Band: Featuring Mike Block (cello), Kyle Sanna (guitar), Mat Fieldes (bass), and Damien Bassman (drums) .^[24]

Triborough Trio: Featuring Mike Block (cello), Hans Holzen (guitar), and Kyle Kegerreis (bass) ^[25]

Current ensemble member

Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble ^[26]

Former ensemble member of the following groups

• Darol Anger's Republic of Strings
• Mark O’Connor's Appalachia Waltz Trio=
• YMusic
• Newspeak
• Bassam Saba's New York Arabic Orchestra
• Sirius String Quartet
• The Knights
• Absolute Ensemble

Television/movie credits

He has appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, National Public Radio's St. Paul Sunday, Regis and Kelly, VH1, the Disney Channel, WNBC-TV with Chuck Scarborough, and the CBS Early Show.^[27]

Mike has also worked with director Yaron Zilberman as a Music Consultant for "A Late Quartet", a 2011 movie starring Philip Seymour Hoffman and Christopher Walken.^[28]

Education

Bachelor of Music: 2004. Cleveland Institute of Music Primary Teacher: Richard Aaron ^[29] Received 2004 Jim Hall Prize for Undergraduate Achievement

Master of Music: 2006. The Juilliard School Primary Teachers: Joel Krosnick, Darrett Adkins ^[30]

Suzuki Pedagogy: 2006. School For Strings, NYC Primary Teacher: Pamela Devenport

Appointed Associate Professor by The Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, in Fall 2012.

Automobile accident

On April 4, 2009, Mike Block was struck by a NYC taxi while walking at the corner of W85th St. and West End Ave, in Manhattan. Injuries included broken rib, jaw, cheek, nose, and he lost nine teeth. His reconstruction required multiple surgeries; his missing teeth were restored on February 15, 2012.

References

External links

• Official Website
• Mike Block String Camp Website
• Vero Beach International Music Festival Website
• Medical Fundraiser

Supporting links

GALA NYC links:

• www.GALAnyc.com

Wall Street Journal article:

• http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703992704576305420517397498.html
• http://bayridgejournal.blogspot.com/2011/04/mike-block-brings-galanyc-to-brooklyn.html
• http://ericedberg.wordpress.com/2011/05/17/great-time-at-gala-nyc/
• http://www.nypress.com/blog-8686-classical-grassroots-to-grow-at-brooklyn-lyceum.html
• http://broadwayworld.com/article/Cellist_Composer_Mike_Block_Reinvents_Concert_Series_at_Brooklyn_Lyceum_20110318

MBSC links:

• http://www.mikeblockstringcamp.com/
• http://www.veronews.com/lifestyles/arts_shows/music/mike-block-string-camp-opens-a-world-of-music-to/article_d6e25582-90ba-5bdc-b021-a0d8ad7b7afe.html

RANDOM LINKS/REVIEWS:

• http://significatojournal.com/columns/musicviews/mike-block-cellist-extraordinaire
• http://likethebird.wordpress.com/2011/10/04/mike-block-after-the-factory-closes/
• http://christianhowes.com/2010/05/05/cellist-mike-block-bursts-into-the-fold-of-creative-string-players/
• http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/02/arts/music/02mata.html - review of cello concerto

Silk road interview:

• http://www.davisenterprise.com/entertainment/yo-yo-ma-silk-road-ensemble-return-to-mondavi/