Refreshing original songs, a wondrous musical spirit and a superb vocal blend. Mark Dvorak, Ellen Shepard and acoustic virtuoso Christopher Walz share a collective lifetime of performing experience and a heartfielt commitment to the American tradition.
Mark Dvorak has distinguished himself as a unique and influential figure on the national folk scene. He was recently honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Woodstock Folk Festival, and won a Parents' Choice Gold Medal for his 1995 children's music CD, Old Songs & New People. He toured for eight years, playing banjo and singing Pete Seeger's parts in Michael Smith's acclaimed show, WeaverMania! LIVE, culminating with a joint concert with Pete Seeger for a live WFMT broadcast.
The Rockford Folk Music Society called Mark, "The Midwest's premiere keeper of traditions." The Chicago Tribune called his performance, Masterful." SING OUT! Magazine said, "Dvorak shines." His songwriting has been called "wondrous," and "profound."
Ellen Shepard has been singing everything from show tunes to jazz to old-time gospel for a very long while now. She performed thoughout the C hicago area and on the road with the very wonderful all-woman trio Sweet Fern until just recently. She as a background in theater, picks clawhammer banjo and can always find that elusive third harmony part without worry.
Acoustic virtuoso Christopher Walz
is renown throughout the country for hs powerful and versatile guitar style, impeccable ear and his deeply rooted musical sensibilites. He toured nationally with the celebrated Woody Guthrie's American Song, before joing Greg Cahill's legendary bluegrass band The Special Consensus. Chris joined the cast of Michael Smith's WeaverMania! LIVE in 2007 and has toured with the group ever since. Chris plays guitar, mandolin, 5-string banjo, and a few other things too.
Bring the Mark Dvorak Trio to your concert series, arts organization or events calendar.
Contact Joann Murdock at Artists of Note for availability and pricing.