Mark O'Connor Appalachian Waltz Trio

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A product of America's rich aural folk tradition as well as classical and flamenco music, Mark O'Connor's creative journey began at the feet of a pair of musical giants. The first was the folk fiddler and innovator who created the modern era of American fiddling in the 1940's, Benny Thomasson; the second, French jazz violinist, considered one of the greatest improvisers in the history of the violin, Stephane Grap-pelli. Along the way, between these marvelous musical extremes, Mark O'Connor absorbed knowledge and influence from the multitude of musical styles and genres he studied. Now he has melded and shaped these influences into a new American Classical music, and a vision of an entirely American school of string playing. As the Los Angeles Times warmly noted, he has "crossed over so many boundaries, that his style is purely personal." O'Connor's Appalachian Waltz Trio breathes new life into the music O'Connor created and performed with Yo-Yo Ma and Edgar Meyer in their Appalachia Waltz and Grammy winning Appalachian Journey projects. This acclaimed trio performs fiddle tunes, original compositions, caprices and more in a thoroughly engaging show O'Connor describes as ' crossing bridges.' Playing to O'Connor's 'fiddle' is Rebecca Albers, viola, an award winning student and graduate of the Juilliard School. As well as traveling with Appalachian Waltz Trio, Ms. Albers tours with the Albers Trio, a string trio formed with her sisters Laura and Julie Albers. Their music has taken them across North America, Asia and Western Europe. Rebecca currently resides in Ann Arbor, MI as a member of the Phoenix Quartet and a recent addition to the University of Michigan's viola faculty. Hailed by Yo-Yo Ma as "the ideal musician of the 21st Century", Mike Block, cello, is a pioneering multi-genre cello player living in New York City. While studying at the Juilliard School, Mike joined The Silk Road Ensemble as its youngest member, and upon graduation in 2006, also joined Grammy Award winner Mark O'Connor in his Appalachian Waltz Trio. Since, Mike has become an in-demand player in many musical genres. Mark O'Connor, very much in the spirit of OIBF's mission to pass on the music to the next generation, is a world renowned educator of his trade. O'Connor regularly gives two-day residencies, lectures, demonstrations, or workshops in a variety of prestigious musical programs. Some of his recent hosts include The Juilliard School of Music, Harvard and Rice Universities, The University of Texas and Berklee College of Music. As well, O'Connor is founder and president of the internationally recognized Mark O'Connor Fiddle Camp and Strings Conference as well as the Mark O'Connor String Camp. The New York Times called the Appalachian Waltz Trio "One of the most spectacular journeys in recent American music." But as Southerners, a more glowing and appropriate nod came from one of our own: "(the music of Appalachian Waltz Trio is) one of the most important pieces of American music in many, many years, uniting strains of classical music with American hill country music, which is an important part of my heritage." -President William Jefferson Clinton

All photos © 2009 by Don Shorock