World champion fiddler Mari Black and her World Fiddle Ensemble bring a joyous extravaganza of dance-inspired music from around the globe to western Montana, with five concerts Nov. 14-23.
With her virtuosic playing, sparkling stage presence, and fun-filled stories tying the whole journey together, Black and her ensemble offer fiddle-fueled music from around the world: Celtic, Canadian, and American fiddling, swing, tango, klezmer, and more. She’s been called “one of the brightest fiddlers around today” by Brian O’Donovan of WGBH radio, and the Boston Globe describes her as “particularly impressive.”
Raised on a rich blend of traditional musical styles, Black burst onto the international stage when she became Scotland’s Glenfiddich Fiddle Champion, a two-time U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion, and two-time Canadian Maritime Fiddle Champion, all within a three-year period. Ever since then, she has been spreading her love for dance-based music, performing as a featured artist at performing arts centers, Celtic festivals, Scottish Highland Games, celebrated folk venues, world music concert series, and acclaimed classical venues including Carnegie Hall.
Black can even be heard (and seen!) in the award-winning video game BioShock: Burial at Sea. She has appeared with such diverse artists as Irish fiddle master Liz Carroll, Americana master Mark O’Connor and jazzman Willie Ruff, and been featured on the BBC Radio Scotland, Fox and CBS morning news, and NPR’s “Here and Now.”
She has played concerts in Brazil, Scotland, Canada, China, Korea, Zimbabwe, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Italy and France and is currently touring nationally with her trio, which brings her to Montana this month for concerts Nov. 14 in Libby, Nov. 16 in Eureka, Nov. 19 in Superior, Nov. 22 in Ronan and Nov. 23 in Hamilton.
Black’s passion for dance-driven music extends far beyond the concert stage, as reflected in her work as a teacher, composer, dancer, competition judge, and musical ambassador committed to connecting people through music.
Having earned her doctorate in education from Columbia University, Black is a master teacher who is dedicated to helping students of all ages and levels explore the joy of making music. Her performances in Montana include outreach concerts and fiddle workshops.
Black’s ear-catching compositions draw on a broad range of stylistic influences, and have won several awards, including a Gold Medal from the MASC International Songwriting Competition. Find out more about Mari and her musical adventures at her website: www.MariBlack.com.