Mark Cleveland: is a contemporary singer-songwriter who evolved into a World Music Performer over the past decade. He began this musical journey after he was adopted by a Native American elder who encouraged him to explore that part of his heritage.  2007 performance highlights include scoring the Chicago Field Museum's Ancient Americas exhibit, recording with Yo Yo Ma's Cross Roads Project, performing at the Harris Theatre in Millennium Park as part of the Tibetan National Cultural Exhibition and sharing the stage again with Bill Miller and Wade Fernandez among other notable performers.  2007 culminated in a cultural exchange with the Maori people of New Zealand including performances in the Te Papa National Museum in Wellington, and Tokomaru Bay New Zealand. He plays over 20 instruments including Native American flute and acoustic guitar; his songs raise some philosophical questions about the Native American experience which apply to all cultures.

Jordi Kleiner: (electric and acoustic violins, cello) has been studying and performing violin since he began at the age of five in the Southwestern US. He received his classical training from Swarthmore College and the National Music Camp in Interlochen, Michigan. Jordi builds on this classical training with outstanding performance delivery


About New Zealand: When the Maori (first people of New Zealand) requested the return of ancestral remains from the archives of the Field Museum, members of the American Indian Center of Chicago were asked to be ambassadors of this process based on their responsibility as local “keepers” or custodians of the Maori House in the museum.  Mark Cleveland was asked to join the procession which began here in Chicago to provide a cultural exchange and accompanied these elders to the islands. Performances in Wellington concluded with a genuine sharing of instruments (some 1000’s of years old) from the Te Papa National Museum archives. On September 11th the journey arrived in a place where the sunrise touches land for the first time every day,. Here he joined and performed for the wonderful Maori people of the Ngati Parou in their home of over 3000 years.  The CD “Journey Home” includes music from this exchange.

also appearing with Mark Cleveland:

  • Bill Miller NAMA/Golden Globe Award.
  • Corky Siegel: Chicago Veteran
  • Wade Fernandez: NAMA contender
  • Andy Mitran: keyboard
  • Bob Peacock: bass
  • Tim Porcelli: Dige
  • Alyson Berger –Cellist
  • Stephan Collins-Latin/Aboriginal percussion
  • John Yost : Rhythm Revolution

Mark Cleveland Band: Easily compared to John Hiatt this established four piece band features Mark Cleveland with the Native American Flute, Guitar and Vocals. Backed with Chicago veteran musicians: Dave Budrys on Bass, and Bob Bechstein on Drums. This band's performances are influenced by the rock and blues performance history of its members. Songs feature the original and unique style which has won this band acclaim in the Chicago media, and in club and festival venues. Original compositions and story telling lyrics play off of the energetic and emotional content of Jordi Kleiner's dramatic fiddle accompaniment. In 2008 Andrea Else will also perform with the band on fiddle, Alyson Berger on Cello, Kim Devore will also appear on percussion Look for Native American Dancers Mike Pamonicutt Sr and Jr., more special performances with World Musicians, local guests and return engagements with Grammy Award Winner Bill Miller and Wade Fernandez.

In memory of Bob Peacock – Bass and vocals in the original MCB, Fly like an Eagle brother … a Dream catcher on the mic in your honor.

Mark Cleveland also performs in Solo or in accompaniment to best suit the venue. These performances can provide a unique opportunity for learning and cultural awareness, in addition to their entertaining content

Soundtrack/Environments: Complex and multi textured soundtrack works are available for movies, exhibits, DVD using a wide diversity of indigenous and traditional instruments, environmental tracks and animal sounds scored to deliver an enhanced experience.

Crossroads Exchange CD :Members of the Silk Road Ensemble connects with Chicago musicians  Home to living musical traditions from around the world, the Windy City inspired countless intercultural collaborations during the yearlong Silk Road Chicago celebration. Local musicians met two at a time between January and April to find common ground between what appeared initially to be disparate traditions, developing new works that they recorded together. Mark Cleveland and Bill Buchholtz Native American flutist, teamed up with Syrian group HiJazz, “Without the spirit of openness and depth of musicianship offered by all the participants, this project would not have been possible,” said Suter and Umezaki.

The Native American Flute
is a traditional instrument
unique to the indigenous people of
the United States. It is in a Pentatonic scale, usually crafted by hand in Cedar approximately the length of the creator's forearm. Legend tells that the flute was used in courting, originally carved by the Red Headed Woodpecker in response to the lamentation of a young man. The boy used the carved branch to repeat a melody while hiding. After revealing himself and winning the heart of his betrothed, this melody became the lullaby of their children.   

 

Flutemakers Charles Gillihan, Kevin Night Eagle, Laughing Crow flutes (Richard Maynard) and Willie Swift Eagle

Copyright © 2008 Mark Cleveland
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