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I first met Chris Thile when he was 12 years old. I remember him being a really nice kid who seemed very talented on the mandolin. He and his dad were hanging out at the Gibson booth at the NAMM convention in L.A.
I saw him next in Nashville, around the time that I was leaving there to live in California. This was 1997, and I believe he was about 16 years old. He was playing at the Station Inn with a singer and some other high-profile acoustic players. I thought that, while Nashville loses one acoustic player in myself, at the same time it gains Chris Thile; a pretty fair trade. The trade actually was a little more ironic, in that I ended up moving to a section of North San Diego County just a few miles from where Chris was born and raised — and he’d just left the area the year before I got there.
We met up again when he came over to my place in San Diego while visiting his band mates. We spent the better part of the day hanging out, doing relaxing things and talking a lot. At that time, I began thinking about a way to accomplish my Thirty-Year Retrospective recording project, and I invited Chris to join me in the recording.
The very next year, though, Chris’ group Nickel Creek turned in their debut, self-titled record with Alison Krauss as producer that was a winner. Just a super album, and the sales and fame began to climb rapidly. Within a year, they were at a gold album status with more to come.
For me, though, it became a little frustrating because my album project was nearly impossible to schedule with Chris and his career on rapid-fire acceleration. If it hadn’t been for Chris’ desire to record my retrospective with me (which consisted of a lot of music that in fact influenced Chris in his formative years), the project may not have happened.
The recording took place in Nashville after three days of rehearsals, with additional pre-rehearsal, solo study time. The recording took place in front of a live audience in three concerts over three days. The result was 2 1/2 hours of music that was some of the finest acoustic and bluegrass-styled music I have ever been able to do. Chris Thile was integral in the project. Without him, the double CD would never have transpired.
Few people are irreplaceable, and certainly not for great lengths of time if so. At that time, there was not another player that could have made my Thirty-Year Retrospective possible. Thanks, Chris.
Mark O’Connor
Mark O’Connor teams up with Chris Thile and his new group, Punch Brothers, on July 2. Add O’Connor’s own “Hot Swing,” with vocals by international jazz sensation Sophie Milman, and you’ve got a show you won’t want to miss. Want tickets? Get ’em here.
Seattle is kicking off summer in style this year, with the weatherman calling for sun and summery temperatures (well, for Saturday, at least). Planning to get out and catch some rays? Stroll through the West Edge Chalk Walk or Fremont Fair and Solstice Parade? Maybe take in a baseball game or two?
Pump up for that great American pastime with Punch Brothers’ version of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” that old saw of the seventh-inning stretch which celebrates its 100th birthday this summer.
Vodpod videos no longer available.
Like what you see? Don’t miss Punch Brothers at Benaroya Hall on July 2, when they perform alongside SummerFest Director Mark O’Connor and his own “Hot Swing,” featuring vocal jazz sensation Sophie Milman.
And check back next week for Mark O’Connor’s take on meeting Punch Brothers’ own mandolin master, Chris Thile!
Video courtesy ESPN.
Hello, everyone! I’m Tom Philion, Seattle Symphony’s Executive Director, and I’d like to welcome you to Seattle Symphony’s new SummerFest 2008 blog, where you can get an inside look at the Symphony’s new summer festival. Encompassing some 14 concerts between June 26 and July 14, SummerFest 2008 features an eclectic mix of artists, musical styles and programming, under the collaborative guidance of Grammy-winning American composer and performer Mark O’Connor.
Many know Mark best for his incredible genius as a performer — from old-time fiddle tunes to jazz — through such collaborative projects as Appalachia Waltz with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and appearances on countless recordings with the world’s top artists. But he is also known for his brilliant composition work: from television and film to the concert hall, O’Connor has made incredible contributions to the world of symphonic music, including his double concerto, For the Heroes, which celebrates the heroic efforts of so many following the tragic events of 9/11, and which will feature cellist Maya Beiser and O’Connor himself at SummerFest 2008.
For jazz lovers, Wynton Marsalis and his remarkable musicians from Jazz at Lincoln Center perform on July 1, while Mark O’Connor’s own Hot Swing group appears on July 2 with special guest vocalist Sophie Milman and an opening act, the much-heralded Punch Brothers, featuring Chris Thile.
We have the BBC’s Blue Planet Live!, which will include the series’ brilliant footage with full orchestra accompaniment conducted by the film composer George Fenton, along with narration by local actor and the voice of KPLU’s BirdNote, Frank Corrado.
Cirque de la Symphonie, a new touring program making waves across the nation, stars extraordinary cirque artists performing jaw-dropping feats to the classics of the symphonic repertoire. Our festival concludes with banjo icon Earl Scruggs, joined by Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet, featuring Béla Fleck with Casey Driessen and Ben Sollee.
We hope you’ll agree that the festival lineup is fantastic. We’ll see you at SummerFest!
Seattle Symphony SummerFest 2008 