This eclectic Jazz/Jam group is lead by virtuoso harmonica player Chris Michalek and world-reknowned bassist Christopher Strone.
Their music blends elements and rhythms from around the world to form a unique, mesmerizing and incredibly moving genre of m

13 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Jam-band, JAZZ: Jazz Fusion



Details:
The collaboration of Chris Michalek and Christopher Strone is a completely original voice in contemorary acoustic jazz. Chris Michalek bring technical virtuosity and a distinctive style to the humble diatonic harmonica. He is one of a handful of players that has truly mastered the subtleties of the harmonica. He blends Indian, Arabic, Gypsy and Jazz inlfuences into a unique and dynamic energy.

Christopher Strone is a supremely versitile bass player and multi-instrumentalist who dazzles in every context - renaissance to ragas, Bach to fusion and superfunk. When they combine their talents, the result is art at once dynamic, melodic and flowing.

This extradinary demiurgic power uses rhythms and pitch sequences from foreign cultures to create an environment that is dually mesmerizing and inviting.

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"Like Chicago, Michalek | Strone blends a thousand influences into an alluring identity all its own." - Chicago Tribune

"Each of them is a leader in his own right." - Chicago Sun-Times

"One of the most distinctive and cohesive groups on the scene." - Down Beat

"Going to be the finest modern jazz concept in the nation, and undoubtedly one of the most unique jazz groups period." - OffBeat

"A harmonica lead band comprised of world-class improvisers and composers,
Michalek has been Minneapolis' best-kept secret for more than 6 years." - JazzTimes

"The crowds at the Twin Cities Hot Summer Jazz Festival was once again exposed to the great harmonica talents of Chris Michalek and his band. There are only a few talents in the world who can play jazz harmonica well enough at a jazz festival and Michalek is one of them. I got nothing but great feed-back from our audience." - Steve Heckler, Executive Producer - Twin Cities Hot Summer Jazz Festival


"Anyone hip to the local scene knows these guys are tops -- put them together and you have a powerhouse."
Minneapolis Star Tribune

"It's great to finally meet players who you admire, but to get to sit right next to them, within two feet of them while they play, is like being in a clinic - except for the fact that the music is so overpowering that you forget to watch every move they make and close your eyes and enjoy!" - Tim Price - Minneapolis StarTribune

"Christopher Strone provides rhythmic foundation on his slimline stand-up, contributing pockets of remarkably au fait articulations from the lower end " -Irv Yarg

"The most innovative, creative, stimulative, refreshingly original music I've heard." -Rod Kennedy, artistic director, Kerrville Music Festivals

" ...their music climbs up the Blue Ridge and down to the Bayou and back up the Himalayas." -Washington Post

"The Michalek | Strone group is certainly a leader among those who blend the categories, who redefine eclectic and take eclectic to new and wonderful territories." -Greenville (SC) News

"A completely original and innovative force in acoustic music." -Acoustic Musician magazine

"Intensely musical and imaginative." -Stereo Review

"Wonderfully woven and evocative." -Washington Post