Two of the world's top mandolinists present an irresistible evening of solo and duet performances, taking the audience with them on a marvelous musical journey from rousing bluegrass to Bach to Charlie Parker and onward into the stratosphere.

Mike Marshall is the leading proponent of an ebullient and fascinating brand of folk-jazz-classical music that explores territory stretching from Brazil through Appalachia to Europe and Africa, by way of Manhattan and the Florida swamps. The acoustic string virtuoso first gained prominence in the late 1970s as a member of the David Grisman Quintet, before going on to co-founing folk-jazz fusion group, Montreux and avant garde bluegrass quintet, Psychograss. More recently, Mike founded both the Modern Mandolin Quartet and the Brazilian ensemble, Choro Famoso.

Chris Thile combines originality and soul with jaw-dropping musicianship. In 1990, while still an elementary school student, he co-founded the group, Nickel Creek, which has risen to fame in recent years, with two Grammy nominations, three critically acclaimed albums, and a vast following. Chris, whose shimmering sound exudes energy and authority, was dubbed "A force of nature with a flatpick" by the Chicago Tribune -- and he's a superb vocalist, composer and arranger to boot, fusing bluegrass, newgrass, jazz, classical, and Celtic music into a style that is all his own.

Mike and Chris released an album in 2003, Into the Cauldron (Sugar Hill), that captures their passion and prodigious technique, not to mention their pure delight in collaboration and innovation -- but you've just got to see them live!

Visit Mike's website