In addition to solo performance and teaching, Mark plays world music with the Annoying Instrument Orchestra in Austin, Texas.
Influences
AMERICAN: Marais & Miranda, 1940's folk revival, Pete Seeger, Weavers, Andrew Rowan Summers, Jean Ritchie, Judy Collins ... INTERNATIONAL: Piatnitsky Chorus, Koutev Ensemble, Duke of Iron, La Bamboche, Gentiane, Domna Samiou, Yiota Lidia, La Musgaña ... GAIDA Players: Pece Atanasovski, Kostadin Varimezov, Ilia Dimitrov ... ENGLISH: Tony Rose, John Roberts, A.L.Lloyd ... SWEDISH: Knis Karl Aronsson, Forsmark Tre, Edwin Johnson, Eric Sahlström ...
Sounds Like
Mark is a remarkable virtuoso on the mountain dulcimer, on the English concertina. and he is an excellent singer, whistle and gaida (Bulgarian Bagpipes) player as well. On the dulcimer, he specializes in the chord-melody picking style. On concertina, he plays lush harmonies and is particularly known for his evocative Swedish music, his adaptation of Balkan songs, and his wonderful English and American ballad accompaniments.
Mark Gilston has been performing traditional folk music for over thirty years. His vast repertoire encompasses songs and instrumentals from North America and most of Europe, particularly the British Isles, Scandinavia, and the Balkans. His performances are laced with humor and a wide base of eclectic knowledge. Mark, an award-winning mountain dulcimer player and singer, also plays concertina, guitar, banjo, Bulgarian bagpipes, pennywhistle, ocarina, tambura, and other instruments.
He has given concerts at numerous colleges, clubs and coffee houses throughout the United States as well as England and Canada and has been a featured performer and workshop leader for various folk music societies including the New York Pinewoods Folk Music Club and the Folk Song Society of Greater Washington as well as groups abroad. He is currently performing music and living in Austin, Texas.
Mark has 6 CDs out which can be sampled and purchased at CDBaby http://cdbaby.com/all/markgilston
Hey Mark, Dropping by to see what's new with you and your tunes. Hope you've had a good time travelin' and playin'. I'm hoping to one day be able to come hear you play in person.
Howdy Mark ! A long time ago (1984) I traveled across your beautiful country, I played the pipes at the monument at South Pass, at Mount Rushmore, at the foot of the Grand Teton and on the shores of Lake Michigan...But I never visited The Lone Star State... Shame on me ;o) Now I am an old man and the health is not so good, so traveling across the big pond... No thanks... However, you're welcome in old Europe. Any time ! Blessings, Jan. By the way, do you know about the origins of the Appalachian Dulcimer ?
Mark- I love your profile, and I admire the thorough approach to traditional folk music that you have. Thanks for hooking up with me, and I'm sure we'll bump into each other at some point.
