Mike Block Trio Releases New Album, "What Now?"
This morning, Grammy Award-winning cellist and ArtistWorks instructor, Mike Block and the members of his trio released their long-awaited debut album entitled What Now?.
Featuring primarily original music composed by Mike during the pandemic lockdown, What Now? showcases the trio's uncanny ability to meld a variety of styles and create a beautifully eclectic, genre-bending sound. Mike and company pull elements from bluegrass, Americana, folk, jazz, classical and more to serve up a refreshingly unique sonic flavor through Mike’s original compositions. They also present an intimate take on Charles Dieupart’s “Baroque Sarabande” as well as playful renditions of tunes from bluegrass, Brazilian, and Jamaican musical traditions.
With a distinct instrumentation featuring cello, mandolin, and upright bass, the Mike Block Trio creates a musical texture that’s all their own. As is expected, Mike provides beautiful cello melodies and choppy supporting rhythm, but he’s also the lead vocalist on a handful of tracks.
Supporting Mike on mandolin and vocals is internationally renowned mandolinist Joe K. Walsh, who can also be heard alongside IBMA award-winning group, The Gibson Brothers, as well as legendary fiddler Darol Anger’s ensemble, Mr. Sun.
Providing the low-end for the trio is upright bassist, singer, and multi-instrumentalist, Zachariah Hickman. In addition to performing and recording with the Mike Block Trio, Zachariah is also the bassist and musical director for Americana icon Ray Lamontagne and spent much of his career touring and recording with singer-songwriter Josh Ritter.
Mike Block Trio - “Won’t Have to Wait” (Official Music Video):
“[What Now? features] a collection of playful and stoic reinterpretations of Appalachian folk and world beat music,” describes Boston’s WBUR radio. “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.”
Mike Block Trio - “Highland Ridge” (Official Music Video):
To download What Now?, head to Mike’s website here, or listen on any of your favorite streaming platforms.
LEARN MORE:
Have you always wanted to learn how to play the cello? Through our comprehensive cello lessons online and Video Exchange Learning platform here at ArtistWorks, you can learn directly from world-renowned cellist Mike Block, and get personal feedback on your playing.
Mike’s course starts with the basics and teaches everything from beginner cello to advanced performance techniques, tunes, improvisation, music theory, and more. So, whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player, all levels are welcome and all students will grow and improve their skills as cellists and musicians!
Sample some free music lessons here and see what makes ArtistWorks courses some of the best online music lessons around!
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