The second video supporting my upcoming debut album with Sandeep Das is premiered today by the fantastic publication “I Care if You Listen”, from the American Composers Forum!
CLICK HERE to Watch the music video for my original composition “Fight or Flight”
CLICK here to pre-order the album!
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Watch our cello/tabla version of this Appalachian fiddle tune HERE!
You can pre-order the whole album HERE!
‘Glory in the Meeting House’ is a traditional Appalachian fiddle tune, learned via Kentucky fiddler Luther Strong, who recorded it for Alan Lomax in 1937. In addition to adapting the fiddle melody for the cello, I changed the tuning of my instrument to create low drone strings in the key of E, to broaden the rhythmic texture surrounding the melody. This track also marks the the first time in Sandeep’s career that he has experimented with using two separate Tabla's, tuned to different pitches, creating an untraditional percussive texture with multiple pitches. We hope you enjoy this rocking tune, with a a beautiful video by Luke Zvara.
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#PandemicDreamJob this week when I got to conduct a killer string orchestra recording an arrangement I wrote with Andrew Watt (who just won the Grammy for Producer of the Year!!) for a pop song he is producing. I will be excited to share the final product when possible ... !
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My pre-recorded performance with Malian musician Balla Kouyate in our collaborative 6-piece West African / American fusion band was presented by the Green Guest Artist Series of Depauw University this evening! You can watch the performance HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqne5dcfdow
After getting tested and rehearsed, we recorded it at the beautiful Shalin Liu Performance Center overlooking the ocean in Rockport, MA, and boy, did it feel amazing to play such invigorating music with such a powerful band after a year of isolation! If you’re able to check it out, I’m sure you’ll feel the joy and connection that we felt in the moment
Balla Kouyaté - balafon, vocals
Mike Block - cello, vocals
Sidy Maiga - djembe, vocals
Idrissa Kone - percussion, vocals
Luke Okerlund - guitars
Michael Rivard - bass, sintir
Are you in a pandemic practicing rut? Join me for daily Guided Practice Sessions, focusing on specific themes one week at a time!
Week 1: March 8-12 Relaxation and Healthy Body Use: A Technique Bootcamp - for cellists
Week 2: March 15-19 Rhythmic String Playing & Chopping - for bowed string players
Week 3: March 22-26 Improvisation - all musicians welcome
Learn more: https://www.mikeblockmusic.com/guided-practice-sessions
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I transcribed Jerry Seinfeld’s performance of “The Audience Decides”, and performed it on cello! Jonathan Wolff (the composer of the Seinfeld theme) called it “Brilliant” on Instagram :)
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Dec 3 was my final performance of the year, presented by The Celebrity Series of Boston, featuring myself and 3 other Boston-area cellists, performing a special folk-meets-classical program called “Global Inspirations”, featuring eight of my cello ensemble arrangements/compositions. You can watch HERE!
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The last music video for my recent album, “The Edge of the Atmosphere”, is released TODAY, for the single “If I Can Help It”! It was filmed during the pandemic in a safe environment, and came out quite fun :). This album was reviewed in a feature article in American Songwriter magazine, with the generous headline “Mike Block Exemplifies True Musicianship On New Record”. American Songwriter goes on to say “the record captures a truly exciting blend of world-class classical musicianship, undeniable pop hooks, and a genuinely dazzling sense of musical collaboration.” Read full article HERE. Buy the whole album HERE!
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You can watch the concert here! I performed with Sandeep Das (tabla) and Shaw Pong Liu (Violin/Erhu) in a beautifully produced performance from Futura Studios in Boston.
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Cellists can order it HERE! One of my last performances before the Covid-19 Shutdown included the world premiere of my trio arrangement of Bach's Cello Suite No. 1 ... I finally finished revising it and got it printed up all nice - the sheet music is now for sale on the newly redesigned strap website at www.cellostrap.com!
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I had a great time connecting with my former teacher, the legendary cello pedagogue on faculty at The Juilliard School, for a LIVE online conversation last night presented by ArtistWorks. You can check out our conversation on cello, teaching, and music on Facebook or YouTube!
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On November 3, I was interviewed by WBUR, Boston’s NPR affiliate, to talk about Play For the Vote’s musical performances on Election Day. They broadcast it around the country via All Things Considered, helping to spread our positive message of using music to help unify people. You can listen HERE!
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Scheduled to hit local news programs across the country, the AP produced a story on Play for the Vote and filmed me talking and playing music at a playground near my home :)
Watch HERE!
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I did a live on-air interview for WGN Chicago with PLAY FOR THE VOTE performer Paula Johannsen, who performed for Early Voters in Chicago on Saturday.
You can watch HERE!
We are working hard to spread the word! Musicians can sign up now to play on election day at PlayForTheVote.com
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Thanks to the Boston Globe for interviewing me about my new album, as well as spreading the word about Play For the Vote! Read the full article HERE.
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TODAY is release day for my new album, The Edge of the Atmosphere, and it's now available everywhere you get music, even Spotify ... although you can buy it, too! :) Yesterday, a feature article came out in American Songwriter with the generous headline “Mike Block Exemplifies True Musicianship On New Record”. YOU can get yourself a copy HERE . American Songwriter goes on to say “the record captures a truly exciting blend of world-class classical musicianship, undeniable pop hooks, and a genuinely dazzling sense of musical collaboration.” Full article HERE.
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I will be playing a bunch of original songs LIVE for YOU this Saturday, Oct 24 at 8:30p ET in celebration of my new album release this weekend! Hope to see you through the screen! :)
You can watch via https://www.facebook.com/BlockCello/ or https://www.youtube.com/user/BlockCello/live
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Today we are premiering a gorgeous new music video for my song "Hills of Arkansas", illustrated by my longtime friend and collaborator, Kevork Mourad, for the release of the 3rd and final single from my upcoming album of original songs, The Edge of the Atmosphere, which will be released on Oct 23.
“Hills of Arkansas’ is inspired by an actual memory of a picture-perfect summer day of horseback riding in the Ozarks. The experience was so simple and so beautiful, that it left me with the lingering feeling that it was just too nice to be real - maybe I didn’t really belong, or even deserve to have such a luxurious experience. Contemplating that feeling made me wonder how I might react if I found myself in heaven, and what it means to really feel ‘at home’ somewhere.”
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