MA
Mike Block is a pioneering cello player, singer, composer, and educator, passionate about cross-cultural collaboration through music. Acclaimed by the New York Times for his "vital rich-hued solo playing”, and by Salt Lake City Desert News as “a true artist... a sight to behold”, Mike Block “is one of the bravest, most intriguing musicians on the American fusion scene.” (Gramophone). Mike's performances offer a rich mixture of classical repertoire, folk music, original compositions, and songs. Since 2005, Mike has been a member of Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble, with which he has been featured as both cello and vocal soloist, contributed arrangements and compositions, and earned a Grammy Award in 2017 for their album Sing Me Home.
Mike is among the first wave of cellists to adopt a strap to stand and move while performing. Using his patented design, The Block Strap. Mike was the first standing cellist to perform at Carnegie Hall, which the New York Times characterized as "breathless ... half dance, half dare." In 2020, Mike founded Play For The Vote, which organizes musical performances at polling locations across the country on Election Day, with the goal of increasing voter turnout by providing a more positive voting experience. As an educator, he is the founder/Director of two summer programs: the Mike Block String Camp, as well as Silkroad’s Global Musician Workshop. Mike teaches online through his Multi-Style Cello School at ArtistWorks.com, and is on faculty of New England Conservatory. Along with his solo shows, his touring bands include Biribá Union, Sandeep Das & Mike Block, Mike Block Trio, and the Balla Kouyaté & Mike Block Band.
Block is a NEFA Grant Recipient.
Additional Content:
Annual Summer Workshop for strings of all ages and backrounds, exploring diverse traditions and contemporary styles
The first product designed so you can stand & move while playing the cello comfortably with standard technique!
The trio fertilizes American roots music with contemporary and international influences, bringing an exciting and personal perspective to the acoustic music scene.
a dynamic, cross-genre duo that originally met as members of Yo-Yo Ma’s Grammy Award-winning Silkroad Ensemble.
Balla Kouyaté & Mike Block Band
friends from America and West Africa create an exciting fusion of musical styles in a 6-piece band
We organize musical performances at polling locations across the country on Election Day with the goal of increasing voter turnout by providing a more positive voting experience and creating a sense of community.
Institution/Business Type:
Performing Group
Legal Status:
Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship
Institution/Business Type:
Performing Group
Legal Status:
Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship
Primary Discipline:
Music - GeneralAdditional Disciplines:
Activities and Services:
Populations Engaged:
Geographic Reach:
Awards:
Awards:
Education:
NEST Eligible Artist
Technical Requirements:
Fee Range:
$1500-$20,000State of Residence:
MassachusettsMinimum Number of Performers:
1Maximum Number of Performers:
100NEST Eligible Artist
Technical Requirements:
Fee Range:
$1500-$20,000State of Residence:
MassachusettsMinimum Number of Performers:
1Maximum Number of Performers:
100