Mike Block Trio Album "What Now?" OUT TODAY

The debut album from the Mike Block Trio is a long time coming, while the connection between these three unique musicians has been deepening for over a decade in various collaborations and configurations. Led by cello player, singer, and composer, Mike Block, who has been hailed as “one of the bravest, most intriguing musicians on the American fusion scene” by Gramophone Magazine, the trio features Joe K. Walsh (mandolin/vocals) and Zachariah Hickman (bass/vocals). Their first album as a trio features mostly original music, composed recently during the pandemic. The album oscillates between intimate meditations and burning improvisational virtuosity, explored through both original songs and instrumentals. There is also a sensitive reinterpretation of a Baroque Sarabande, and playful versions of tunes from Jamaica, Brazil, and a Bluegrass standard for good measure.

“A collection of playful and stoic reinterpretations of Appalachian folk and world beat music. 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.”

- WBUR Boston

"daringly taking his trio towards new musical possibilities … a rousing musical breakdown with classical music themes and progressive preciseness. Block takes a more urban approach here, giving bluegrass a bold statement, where the worlds of Del McCoury meet Mahavishnu Orchestra.”

- Glide Magazine