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Eli
Bissonett was born in Savonlinna, Finland - an area much resembling the North Woods of Minnesota. His family moved to Ely, Minnesota in 1979 when he was just a few months old. Eli began violin lessons at the age of 8 under the instruction of Helina Pakola, and later toured with the traveling performance group The Singing Strings.
A graduate of the University of Minnesota, Eli Bissonett holds a degree in Violin Performance. He studied there under Mr. Young-Narn Kim, the artistic director of The Chamber Music Society of Minnesota. The Chamber Music Society works with the Ely community to continue the annual Northern Lights Chamber Music Institute in Ely.
Eli enjoys playing various styles of music including: Folk, Jazz, Eastern European, Celtic and Classical. His violin arrangements are hauntingly beautiful, but this clkasically trained virtuoso alsao plays a mean fiddle! A passionate advocate for wilderness, wildlife, and environmental stewardship (common ground he shares with musician Pat Surface), many of Eli's inspirations come from nature.
He tours extensively with Pat Surface, and is featured on, among others, The Long Goodbye and The House of Amazing Grace.
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Nordic Nights A long-playing and peaceful acoustic instrumental album of beautiful Nordic and Celtic melodies. Eli Bissonett (violin), Mary LaPlant (violin & viola), and Pat Surface (guitar). |
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Lonely Land This peaceful, long-playing instrumental CD reunites Eli Bissonett with Pat Surface (on guitar) and introduces Leo Robinson (on cello). Selections reflect Eli's Finnish roots, and incorporates original compositions along with traditional and contemporary melodies. A beautiful album evoking the tranquility of wilderness, this CD is dedicated to the legacy of environmentalist Sigurd F. Olson - and the continuing efforts of polar-explorer Will Steger. |
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Listening Point Gently drift like a leaf on a breeze as the serene sounds of this peaceful instrumental acoustic album carry you away. A unique blend of Celtic, classical and contemporary melodies, this is violinist Eli Bissonett's solo debut album - accompanied by acoustic guitar and piano. |