Friday January 21, 2022

This double-bill features two master musicians at the top of their craft, honoring their roots while creating innovative new traditions. In a career that has now encompassed four decades, acclaimed banjo innovator Tony Trischka has created an endless array of new possibilities for the five-string banjo. While he has mastered nearly every element of the instrument's stylistic history — from old-time modal clawhammer to the most intricate melodic modern styles — it was folk music initially, and bluegrass music in particular, that first drew him to the banjo. In addition to his banjo playing superstar status, he also produced Steve Martin’s Grammy nominated Rare Bird Alert record (Rounder). Grammy nominated and Berklee College of Music’s Visiting Scholar in the American Roots Program, Bruce Molsky stands today as one of the world's premier old-time fiddler and one of the defining virtuosi of Appalachia's timeless folk music traditions. In addition to a prolific solo career, he frequently joins genre-busting super-groups and artists such as Andy Irvine & Donal Lunny's Mozaik, and has recorded as a special guest on legendary guitarist Mark Knopfler’s recent CD, Tracker.