Mark Stillman is the recipient of the 2011 NEAF Lifetime Achievement Award honoring him for his constant and positive impact within the free-reed community. On Friday, November 11, at 7 PM Mark will be presented with his award by Castle Accordion and Mill City Accordion Association.
Accordionist Mark Stillman is a Minnesota-based musician who specializes in the folk music of many cultures, including Eastern European (Bulgarian, Rumanian, Hungarian, Serbian, Macedonian and Czech), Greek, Celtic, French and Italian, in addition to Klezmer and Russian music.
A classically-trained percussionist, he is a self taught accordionist who learned much of his repertoire in his travels through Eastern Europe. he has been a featured soloist with the Minnesota Orchestra, Minneapolis Pops Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony, Minnesota Sinfonia, the Dallas Brass and on Prairie Home Companion.
He has also performed for the recordings of the multi-ethnic rock group Boiled in Lead. He frequently performs with vocalist, Francine Roche.
As a result of his reputation as specialist in ethnic music, he was asked to be a guest soloist with the Minnesota Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orhcestra, the Milwaukee Symphony and many other groups. Mark’s music often helps create the proper mood at art openings such as the Chagall and Monet exhibitions at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.
Mark has also asked to create an international flavor by performing at receptions for former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Presidemt George W. Bush, former First Lady Hillary Clinton,and for Cirque du Soleil. He was also featured in beer commercials that aired during the Super Bowl a few years ago.
Mark’s band,”Klezmer and All That Jazz” will perform at a reception for Tom Brokaw at Wesminster Presbytrian Church in downtown Minneapolis on Tuesday November 8th. Earlier this year they did a similar reception for David Brooks.
Mark will play for the Minneapolis College of Art and Design’s Art Sale on Friday November 18th. He is also a regular strolling accordionist at the Gasthof restaurant in Northeast Minneapolis, as well as numerous Italian and French restaurants in the Twin Cities, playing regularly for the Minnesota Vikings, as part of the pre-game music at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.
Previous winners of NEAF Lifetime Award Recognition:
2010………..C.J. Chenier
2009………..Randy McPeck
2008………..Ken Mahler
2007………..Dan Newton
2006………..Jerry Minar
2005………..Mike Alongi
2004………..Helmi Harrington
2003………..Dee Langley
2002………..Hank Thunander
2001………..Idiliop DelCol
2000………..Larry Malmberg
For further information: markstillman@comcast.net or
612-823-8801
