This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, July 6, 2011 - PROFILE: Now in its 16th year, Autumn's Child has gone through quite a few personnel changes over that time. The one constant has been the Native American flute playing of the band's founder, Mark Holland.
Over the course of 16 recordings - including several albums under his own name in addition to the band's recordings - Holland and Autumn's Child have built up an eclectic repertoire of musical styles that encompass influences from folk, jazz, classical and world music. It's a musical approach that Holland calls "global Chamber Music." In addition to plenty of original material by Holland and the band, you'll also hear everything from reinterpretations of songs by the likes of the Moody Blues as well as a version of Jim Pepper's "Witch-Tai-To," a jazz composition based on an American Indian chant.
Holland recently returned from a solo tour that took him to Colorado and Kansas. Autumn's Child played in Florida earlier this year - with a date in North Carolina coming up later in 2011. Holland answers a few questions about himself and Autumn's Child to preview the band's appearance this Friday at Gazebo Concert Series at 7 p.m.
HOME: St. Louis
AGE: I started Autumn's Child in 1995 ... many personnel changes and developments in musical style and compositions over the years.
INSTRUMENTS: The traveling quartet version is Native American flutes, cello, guitar and percussion. In the studio anything goes. We have included piano, harp, sitar, banjo, other winds and strings, etc. Joining me at the Gazebo concert will be Ranya Iqbal on cello, Aaron Burlbaw on guitar and Dennis Stringfield on percussion.
HOBBIES: For myself, cycling. Ranya is into pottery.
LAST CONCERT ATTENDED: I don't go to many concerts anymore since I travel and am performing so much. It doesn't always work out. But when I perform at many of the flute festivals I attend, I do get to hear some of the other performers. One that is most memorable, while in Greece I got to hear Toumani Diabate in concert.
LATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: The release of the newest Autumn's Child CD, "Balance." Also, a CD I made with percussionist, N. Scott Robinson, "Wind & Fire," won the Indian Summer Music Award in the Native Spirit category.
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO: Autumn's Child came about when I discovered the Native American flute and just wanted to share its beautiful sound. One thing led to another, and the journey has progressed to full time work - performing and recording. When I play the Native American flute, I feel I can best turn myself inside out and communicate most intimately and honestly. It is an instrument of peace. I enjoy showcasing the versatility of the Native American flute through various styles of music - in addition to how it can used in combination with different types of instruments.
QUOTE: "Always stay true to yourself" said my many wise ones to me over the years.
Another favorite quote from someone famous is - "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." Jimi Hendrix
Check out Autumn's Child's website - www.autumnschild.com - for more info and the band's complete schedule.
Gazebo Concert Series
Sponsored by the Old Orchard Merchants Association in Webster Groves, this series combines music and a movie screening after the concert. Friday night's movie will be "Stand By Me." The concerts and movies take place in tiny Gazebo Park - a triangle of land between Lockwood and Big Bend Blvd. that's right in the heart of plenty of stores and restaurants. The band plays under the Gazebo, and the movie element attracts plenty of families to the event.
Concerts begin at 7 p.m. and go until approximately 8:15 p.m. After a short break to set up the inflatable movie screen and let the sun go down, movies usually begin at 9 p.m. There are a few benches in the small park, but lawn chairs or blankets are advised, and you may bring coolers with food and your choice of beverages.
There are beverages for sale, and with nearby restaurants such as Weber's Front Row, Racanelli's, Webster Garden and Webster Wok Chinese, McDonald's, Highway 61 Roadhouse and Starbucks just a few steps away, there's plenty of takeout food available as well.
This Friday's concert is the final event in the series. Earlier concerts this season featured Kim Massie, Diesel Island, Erin Bode and Javier Mendoza.
Terry Perkins is a freelance writer whose areas of coverage includes music.