A Very 3rd Elephant Christmas

Join Minnesota's premier instrumental trio as they dish up Christmas cheer through unique takes on holiday classics! Prepare to be amazed as you experience expertly executed jazz, classical, Bluegrass, and more from some fellas who've performed on Prairie Home Companion, at Carnegie Hall, and even the VFW in White Bear Lake.

The music of 3rd Elephant is a rich blend of traditions. Classical works, hymns, and ethnic folk melodies, share the stage with jazz standards, soundtracks, and original music. Violin and cello find themselves sitting comfortably alongside banjo, guitar, mandolin, and even baritone ukulele. The trio's unique sound reflects the diverse musical backgrounds of its members.

Nathan Wilson began playing violin when he was 8 years old, at the encouragement of his grandfather. He now holds a master's degree in violin performance from the University of Minnesota, and continues to study and perform in a broad range of styles. Nathan's easygoing manner, and his instrumental skills on both violin and mandolin, have made him a favorite guest of tap-style guitarist Billy McLaughlin, with whom he has made countless live and recorded appearances since 2006.

Charles Asch received his master's degree in classical cello from Juilliard in 2011, and completed his Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Minnesota in the spring of 2017. As a cellist, Charles has performed with many high-level classical ensembles, including Lyra Baroque Orchestra, Bach Society of MN, and MN Opera. He is also a highly proficient pianist.

Minnesota-based multi-instrumentalist Richard Kriehn played with the “Guys All- Star Shoe Band” and the “House Band” on A Prairie Home Companion from June of 2010 until the host, Garrison Keillor retired in July of 2016. Richard has played in symphony orchestras, bluegrass bands, baroque ensembles, pit orchestras, cover bands, string quartets and country bands...he loves to play music with his friends, and it really doesn’t matter what genre!

Each 3rd Elephant concert is a special journey, inviting the audience to join the musicians as they explore boundaries and find new harmony between musical territories.

Tickets are $30.00 in advance and $35.00 at the door. Seating is general admission and doors open at 6:30 PM. Concessions will be available for sale during the concert.

The Music Factory is located on the 2nd floor of the WWI era Old Milk Factory on the Rum River in Anoka. It is not a wheelchair accessible building and there are some stairs to climb.

*For attendees in groups of eight or more who want to sit together, please feel free to contact us in advance and we are willing to set aside a group of chairs in the back seating section of the main room floor for your group. We don’t do group discounts.

Host or Publisher Heart of the City Music Factory