Evo Bluestein BIO

Evo Bluestein
BIO
EVO Getting
Started
BLUESTEIN
Call it luck, but Evo
Bluestein was born
into the right family–a
musical family!
For many years, he
performed in a string
band with his siblings
and father, the late
Gene Bluestein, a
well-known folklorist
and English professor,
first at the University of
Minnesota, and later
at California State
University, Fresno.
Professor Bluestein’s teaching
career led the family abroad.
They first performed as a
family band in Paris. Prior to
France, they lived in Finland
for a year. Subsequent yearlong teaching positions in
China and Japan resulted in
the family band touring those
countries, as well as Israel.
Back in the States, when Evo
was 18, he formed his first
band, The Roundtown Boys-a string band that performed
mostly in California. By the
time Evo was in his midtwenties, he had performed
throughout the United States.
In recent years, Evo has
added Germany to his list of
summer music engagements.
Because of his father’s academic career, Evo learned folk
music traditions from many legendary performers and teachers, who came into his home as guest artists and often stayed
for the entire semester while they taught at the university.
During his early years, Evo was extremely fortunate to have
direct exposure to many of the great bearers of American
folk tradition. Among those with whom he has studied are:
Dewey Balfa, Dennis McGee, Bois Sec Ardoin, Tommy Jarrell,
Bessie Jones and Jean Ritchie.
The Bluestein Family - Evo on autoharp
The Roundtown Boys - Evo on fiddle
During the early 1980s, The Bluesteins
often toured California and started
their tradition of reunion concerts in
Fresno. The last family reunion concert
was held in honor of Gene Bluestein in
1999. A commercial video of that show
is available. The family has produced
numerous record albums including
several children’s folk collections and
albums representing their expanded
interest in music from Cajun and
klezmer to zydeco and reggae.
Evo Bluestein • 10691 N. Madsen, Clovis, CA 93611 • 559-297-8966 • http://evobluestein.com
Diversity and Experience
Throughout the years of exposure to many music masters
and folk idioms, it was only natural that Evo would move
beyond his first instrument--the piano. Today, he is a multi-instrumentalist, who plays 10 instruments, 7 of which he teaches regularly. Evo has created and directed music festivals,
provided music for theater at the Kennedy Center, developed a folk music curriculum for schools, taught in migrant
education and state prisons.
Lyquid Amber
Evo’s newest project and the most original form of his artistic expression is the collaboration with German musican,
Hannsjoerg Scheid. With bassist Kevin Hill, the music of the
group has been likened to Brazilian bluegrass! Sing Out!
magazine says “...excellent musicianship, arrangements,
and a warm fusion of bluegrass, folk, blues, jazz and pop...
an enjoyable balance between Pat Metheny’s smooth airiness and Bela Fleck’s aggressive funk.” Visit Lyquidamber.
com for more on this group!
Evo on banjo
Hannsjoerg on guitar
Bad Boys Zydeco
Evo Bluestein plays accordion and fiddle in his electric band, Bad Boys
Zydeco, surrounded by some of the finest blues musicians in California.
“. . . more original than most of the current crop of zydeco groups from
Louisiana and half of the songs are in French to boot ...better, more distinctive, and even more in keeping with the tradition than much of what
is currently being released in the genre.” Dirty Linen Magazine
Go to evobluestein.com and learn more!
Autoharp& Evoharp
One of the finest performers and
teachers of folk style autoharp, Evo
is known as the truest in the style of
Appalachian master autoharper
Kilby Snow. His books and videos are
widely distributed and his design of
‘harp known as the Evoharp is highly
acclaimed and distributed nationally.
His playing style is well displayed on
his own cds and also on the landmark autoharp compilation known
as Autoharp Legacy. Evo joined Kilby
Snow, Carter Family members, Mike
Seeger and other autoharp luminaries as the 2009 inductee into the
Autoharp Hall of Fame.
The Evoharp
Evo Bluestein • 10691 N. Madsen, Clovis, CA 93611 • 559-297-8966 • http://evobluestein.com
Programs
Evo in Concert
Calling Dances
While performing a spirited selection of
American folk songs, Evo delights audiences with a taste of Appalachian clogging. Concert features include:
a multitude of instruments, percussive
stepdancing, historical perspective,
audience participation and insights into
popular music.
The Music & Dance
Camp Experience
Evo teaches at music camps throughout the
country. Each year the lineup varies, but you can
often find him at Lark in the Morning, the Ozark
Folk Center, and at Grass Valley Bluegrass Festival, teaching Cajun and oldtime fiddle, Appalachian autoharp, zydeco/Cajun button accordion
and calling dances. Other camps at which he
has staffed include Puget Sound Guitar Workshops (WA), Pinewoods (Cape Cod, MA), Swannanoa Gathering (Black Mountain, NC), Augusta
Heritage Arts (Elkins, WV), Festival of American
Fiddle Tunes, (Port Townsend, WA), Musik Fest
(Mosenberg, Germany), Sweet’s Mill Life Festival,
(Auberry, CA), California Coast Music Camp,
(Auburn, Ca).
Evo Bluestein believes
sharing world music and
dance is an important tool
for fostering world peace.
After 15 years of teaching his popular folk dance
residency in public schools,
Evo acquired the skills to
bring any mixed group of
skeptical newcomers to
enjoy dancing reels, contras, circles, squares and
other dances.
Folk Programs for Schools
Music Assembly
Evo presents an engaging concert-lecture
format that celbrates the cultural diversty of
American people. Among the many folk music
traditions included are: Mexican-American, Native American, African-American, Cajun, Appalachian, French, Irish, and Southeast Asian.
5-Day Dance Residency
Evo’s most popular school program emphasizes movement, rhythm and song. Students enjoy folk traditions and learn body
coordination, history, sociology, geography
and song, not to mention cooperation
and respect. Many schools and organizations opt for the Friday night Barn Dance to
demonstrate what everyone learned during the week.
Music of Protest and the
Development of Democracy
A concert-lecture assembly, designed for high
school students studying social justice and United
States history. Program includes American songs of
labor, protest and union organizing. Other themes
include Native American, slavery, mining, textile and
other industries, railroads, dustbowl, women’s rights,
civil rights, farm workers, I.W.W., Vietnam War protest.
Other useful topics in this program include peace,
social justice, environment, and Cesar Chavez.
Evo Bluestein • 10691 N. Madsen, Clovis, CA 93611 • 559-297-8966 • http://evobluestein.com
Talking about . . .
Evo Bluestein
Everyone is still glowing around here from a full
weekend of traditional music. Of course, your
name has become a household word and we all
hope you’ll venture this way again soon. Bob
Mueller , Millpond Festival, Bishop, CA
The extra part of yourself that you presented was
evident and greatly appreciated. I’ve enjoyed your
performances before but on a weekend when all
the performers were really on their game, yours
was a magical, captivating tour de force. Gregg
Averett, Willamette Valley Autoharp Gathering, OR
Thanks for coming and gracing our festival with
your charisma, great instruction, wonderful
performance and good spirit. Your performance
on Saturday night was great. Folks enjoyed the
variety and found the concert very entertaining.
I especially appreciated the multitude of instruments you play in your concerts. It was really
nice to have someone play all so well in this setting. Les Gustafson-Zook, Goshen, IN
Many of the children were in a high state of excitement following the children’s concert, never
having seen or heard so many instruments before
and never having enjoyed a concert so much. The
concert had great variety of material–some of
which was ethnic and suited for any audience and
some chosen for special appeal to younger audiences, but never patronizing. Dot Harris, Coordi-
nator, UC Riverside Folk Club, Riverside, CA
On behalf of the California Academy of Sciences
and the Traditional Arts Program, I would like
to thank you for a very memorable Saturday
program. . . the children were especially responsive and the whole audience really enjoyed your
very professional, educational and entertaining
performance . . . thank you again for a job well
done. Sally Gate, California Academy of Science, San
Francisco, CA
It was totally wonderful. Each child was on equal
ground and totally engaged. This was the best
program we’ve had in the past 4 years. Ms Santoro,
Teacher , Howard Elementary School, Madera, CA
Evo combines singing, instrument playing and
dancing in a way that makes me think he’s using
trick photography- even when he is ten feet away.
Evo presents a great musical “experience.” It is
more than a performance, more than educational- it is a terrific balance of the two. Scott Jacobs,
Mr. Bluestein, this is just to let you know that
I truly enjoyed your presentation last night.
We were very fortunate to have you speak and
perform for our class. You brought a wonderful
dimension to my study of folklore. I will admit
I was a bit skeptical about the idea of listening
to a “folklorist” –little did I know what a treat
was in store for me. Thanks for the experience!
Lorayne F. McKelvy-Morris, California State University, Fresno
Kilby Snow set the benchmarks by which all
others are judged; Evo is the only player I’ve
heard to compare. This disk transcends autoharp music too, being a fine oldtime country
music display. Kerry Blech,
Victory Review, Tacoma, WA
Imagine the drag notes and driving rhythmic
strength of Kilby Snow tempered with a touch
that borders on the ethereal. The sound is
terrific and he’s clearly at one with this instrument. June Maugery, Autoharp Quarterly, New
Manchester, WV
It was a real privilege to learn under someone
of your musical stature, but I was most impressed with your ability to communicate to
us on a beginner’s level without making us feel
belittled. You treated us with respect and it’s an
unusual gift for a skilled musician to have that
tolerance level for beginners. What a gift you’ve
shared. Thank you. Carolyn Ocheltree, Teacher,
Fresno, CA
I must say I really enjoyed working through
your video. It’s not often you find instructional
material that can work both for rank beginners and those with a musical background
alike–yours certainly was totally relevant and I
found I was able to work through your 4 steps
logically and quickly! Hui T. Tan,
Glasgow, Scotland
The Autoharp Jamboree surveys were filled
with praise of your efforts . . . You upheld
the chromatic harp tradition very well, and I
was very pleased with your approach to both
autoharp style and repertoire. Thanks, again,
for your participation. Elliot Hancock, The Ozark
Folk Center, Mountain View, AR
I thought this was the best assembly for
children that I’ve seen in 23 years of teaching.
Great job! Janice Munce, Resource Specialist, Liberty School, Visalia, CA
Concocrd, CA
Evo Bluestein • 10691 N. Madsen, Clovis, CA 93611 • 559-297-8966 • http://evobluestein.com
VITA
Evo Bluestein
10691 N. Madsen Avenue, Clovis, California 93619
(559) 297-8966
website: evobluestein.com
email: [email protected]
EDUCATION
Study with master folk musicians:
Kenny Hall--California, fiddle & mandolin
Tommy Jarrell--North Carolina, banjo and fiddle
Bessie Jones--Georgia Sea Island, Afro-American folk music
Bois Sec Ardoin--Louisiana, Cajun accordion
Canray Fontenot--Louisiana, Cajun fiddle
Dennis McGee--Louisiana, Cajun fiddle
Dewey Balfa--Louisiana, Cajun fiddle
John Delafose--Louisiana Zydeco Accordion
Jean Ritchie--Kentucky, dulcimer
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Folk Rhythm & Dance Residency (numerous schools) in CA 1993-2010
Migrant Scholars Program CSU, Fresno 2000-2004
Private instrument and voice lessons, 1976-present
Mendota Unified Schools 2000-04
Central California Women’s Facility, 1993, 1994, 1995
CSU, Fresno, Extended Education Division, 1982-2003
CSU, Hayward, Extended and Continuning Education 1995-03
Fresno Pacific College, 1982-83, 1991-2001
International Folk Music & Dance Camp, Mosenberg, Germany, 1991, 1993, 1998
Swannanoa Gathering, Warren Wilson College, Black Mountain, NC, 1995, 1996
Mountain Laurel Autoharp Gathering, 1994, 2004
Sweet’s Mill Folk Music Festival, 1975-79, 1990-2010
Lark in the Morning Music Celebration, 1982-90, 2000-04
Strawberry Bluegrass Festival, 1986, 1988, 1990
Grass Valley Bluegrass Festival, 1983, 1989, 2003, 2004, 2010
Summer Solstice Dulcimer & Traditional Music Festival, 1987-89
Festival of American Fiddle Tunes, Washington, 1986-87
Augusta Heritage Arts Workshop, West Virginia, 1986
Patrick’s Music Store, Fresno, 1981-82
CSUF, Summer Folk Institute, 1976-77, 1980
Public School In-service for elementary teachers in Los Angeles, Fresno, Mendocino, Dos Palos,
Los Banos, Firebaugh and Tucson, Arizona, since 1980
Ozark Folk Center, Mtn. View, Arkansas 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002
Fresno Unified Schools, Migrant Education 2002-03
Evo Bluestein•10691 N. Madsen, Clovis, CA 93611•ph (559) 297-8966•http://evobluestein.com
SELECTED PERFORMANCES & CONCERTS
Puget Sound Guitar Workshops, (WA) 2010
CA Autoharp Gathering 2003–2010
Lyquid Amber, 2002, 2010
Bad Boys Zydeco 1987-2010
Alpine County Arts Council Concerts 2000
Germany Tour, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1998
Strawberry Festival (Bad Boys Zydeco), 1993
Rudolstadt International Folk Music & Dance Festival, Germany, 1992
WDR-TV Live Festival Concert (Germany, Switzerland, Austria), 1992
Inyo Council for the Arts (Mule Days Festival & school residency), 1992
Capitol Theater, Yakima, Washington, 1992
Simi Valley Zydeco Festival, 1992
Long Beach Zydeco Festival, 1992
Artists in the Schools (Tulare County), 1989-2001
Artists in the Schools (Merced Arts Council), 1986-2001
(selected performances continued)
Artists in the Schools (Fresno County), 1986-2001
Artists in the Schools (Madera Arts Council), 1985-2001
Imperial County Arts Council, 1991
Solano County Arts Alliance, 1991
Mariposa County Arts Council, 1991
Marin Community Playhouse, 1991
Sacramento Children’s Festival, 1991
LA LA Festival, Los Angeles, 1991
CSUF Music Department Concert, 1991, 1992
Bay Area Zydeco Festival, 1991
East Coast Tour, 1991
Artists in the Schools (Fresno Alliance for the Arts), 1984-90
Santa Barbara Jazz Society & Country Dance Society Concert, 1990
Headlands Center for the Arts, Marin, 1990
California Academy of Sciences Children’s Concert, San Francisco, 1990
Napa County Arts Council, 1990
San Diego Michelob Street Scene, 1990
Arts Explosion--Weekend on the Waterfront, Oakland, 1990
Chomp & Stomp Festival, Aptos, 1989
China Tour, 1989
England Tour, 1987
United States Tours, 1984, 1986
Israel Tour, 1985
Japan Tour, 1983
Prairie Home Companion, Minneapolis, 1983
Bluestein Family Concerts, Paris, 1974-75
(unless otherwise noted, all concerts listed above were in California)
Evo Bluestein•10691 N. Madsen, Clovis, CA 93611•ph (559) 297-8966•http://evobluestein.com
RADIO PROGRAMS (Host & Producer, Fresno-based)
KVPR-FM “Stringband Jazz,” 1982-87
KFSR-FM “The Folk Show,” 1984-85
KVPR-FM “Mostly Traditional American Music,” 1979-80
KFCF-FM “Just Playin’ Folk,” 1981
RELATED EXPERIENCE
Tower Mardi Gras Festival, founder and festival director, 1995, 1996, 1997
Acting Facilitator, Arts In Corrections, Central California Women’s Facility 1994, 1995
Wimbydiddle World Music Festival, festival director, 1997, 1998
Bullard Project Talent Middle School, Fresno, 1989
Developed music and dance performance for “Tale Feathers”
Arranged & performed soundtrack for “Truck Song,” 1988
A Bernard Wilets film based on a book by Diane Siebert
Member, Valley Improvisational Players, Fresno, 1975-83
Good Company Players, Fresno, 1981-82
Music director & performer for two-year tour of public schools with “Heritage
(related experience, continued)
Hiccups,” a collection of dramatized folk tales
Musician, actor in Paul Sills’ “More from Story Theater,”
Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C., 1979
Founding president, Fresno Folklore Society, 1978
GRANTS
California Arts Council Touring Artist Grant, recipient 1986-93
AWARDS
UCSB Old Time Fiddlers’ Convention
First Place (singing),1981
Second Place (fiddle),1980
Second Place (singing), 1980
Novato Old Time Fiddle Contest
First Place (fiddle), 1976
2007 Lifetime Achievment Award, California Autoharp Gathering
2009 Autoharp Hall of Fame Inductee
News Release
CONTACT:
phone
date
For Immediate Release
Evo Bluestein Performs
American Roots Music & Foot Percussion
One man, five instruments & a pair of taps!
“evho bluesteen” (pronunciation)
On (day, date, at ?:00 pm), Evo Bluestein will perform a solo concert at ____________. Tickets are
______ and available at the door. All ages are welcome.
Bluestein electrifies audiences with high-energy percussive stepdancing while performing a dynamic
selection of American folk songs played upon fiddle, banjo, guitar, autoharp or button accordion.
The whole family is in for an unusual delight when Bluestein picks up his banjo and starts to sing
and dance--at the same time! As a multi-instrumentalist, Bluestein brings to his music a rich legacy
of folk tradition, masterful interpretation and original composition.
Be prepared for surprises as he pulls out everything from Laotian Jews’ harp to spoons! Considered
one of this country’s most accomplished Appalachian-style autoharpists, he is equally well known as
a performer and teacher of oldtime fiddling, button accordion, guitar and banjo.
“I celebrate the cultural diversity of American people through music,” says Bluestein. “Among the
many folk music traditions I present are: Mexican-American, Native American, African-American,
Cajun, Appalachian, Irish, and French.”
Bluestein’s musical career has included tours throughout the United States, China, Japan, Europe,
and Israel. He was raised in a musical family and for many years performed in his family’s stringband.
When not performing solo, Bluestein brings music and dance to students throughout California via
Folk Programs for Schools. In addition to acoustic folk concerts, Bluestein plays accordion and
fiddle in his electric band, Bad Boys Zydeco. He also plays banjo in Lyquid Amber, which offers an
acoustic fusion of bluegrass, folk, blues, jazz and pop.
-end-