Cronograma

"Tony Trischka is known as the father of modern bluegrass" - New York Times Tony was born in Syracuse, N.Y., in 1949, and raised in a home filled with music. There were Broadway scores and a sweeping range of classical music, from Stravinsky to Beethoven. (The first thing Trischka learned to play on the banjo, in fact, was the Ninth Symphony.) The wide- open American vistas of Aaron Copland had an especially potent spiritual and visceral impact on him, as did the folk music his left-leaning father held dear. The Almanac Singers, the solo work of its founding members Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, and Lead Belly’s children’s LP were in constant rotation. Trischka fell in love with the banjo by way of the Kingston Trio’s 1959 recording of “M.T.A.,” and was able to experience the New York-centered folk revival by trekking to the Newport Folk Festival in the early to mid-’60s. He moved to the city in the early ’70s and hit the ground running, settling in among a peer group of extraordinary musicians who saw American roots music as a thriving, living language that could be expanded and combined with other influences and sensibilities. Alongside other young masters like mandolinist Andy Statman and fiddler Kenny Kosek, in such units as Country Cooking and Breakfast Special, Trischka found his purpose. Jaw-dropping musicianship was certainly encouraged, as was comic and literary irreverence, earnest songwriting and a record shop’s worth of touchstones beyond bluegrass, from the avant-garde to fusion and R&B.

Grammy-nominated, described as “an absolute master” (No Depression), Molsky transports audiences to another time and place, with his authentic and personal interpretations of rarities from the Southern Appalachian songbook and other musical traditions from around the globe. Best known for his work on the fiddle, Bruce’s banjo, guitar and his distinctive, powerful vocals also resonate with listeners. His combination of technical virtuosity and relaxed conversational wit makes a concert hall feel like an intimate front porch gathering. Bruce's take on tradition has landed him in collaborations with some of the world's most highly respected players from roots to rock. He is a special guest on legend rocker Mark Knopfler’s recent CD, “Tracker.” His 1865 Songs of Hope & Home with Anonymous 4, was on Billboard’s top 10 for weeks. Along with Andy Irvine & Donal Lunny, Bruce is a founding member of the supergroup Mozaik, with three recordings. You can see Bruce on the BBC TV “Transatlantic Sessions” with Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas, and on “David Holt’s State of Music” on PBS. He stays active touring and recording with longtime collaborators Darol Anger, Tony Trischka and Mountain Drifters’ Allison de Groot. The July ’24 release of Lockdown Breakdown, Bruce & Darol Anger’s brand new duet fiddle record, is an important pit stop in their years-long trip of collaborating. They continue to love exploring and chasing a shared musical vision that changes and grows as they go, and has powered at least a couple of generations of listeners and players. The project features original compositions, significant vocal songs from America’s recent past, and traditional tunes from all over the world. February 2022 marked the long-anticipated release of Bruce’s solo guitar CD: “Everywhere You Go,” a coming-together of new interpretations and arrangements of a wide swath of tunes and songs performed in his own quirky and personal finger style guitar. Bruce holds the title of “Visiting Scholar in the American Roots Music Program” at Berklee College of Music, where he is the go-to guy for the next generation of roots musicians. “Performing and teaching traditional music are the biggest things in my world. For me, being a musician isn’t a standalone thing; it informs everything I do in my life. It’s always been about being creative and being a part of something much bigger than myself, a link in the musical chain and part of the community of people who play it and love it.” —

Pete Wernick, “Dr. Banjo” of Hot Rize fame, and his singer-guitarist wife Joan are one of bluegrass music’s most appealing and enduring performing couples. Joan's clear, soulful singing and Pete's masterful picking bring life to a diverse repertoire including traditional bluegrass, vocal duets and lively instrumentals. Since 1976 they have lived in Niwot, Colorado. They are both members of the Colorado Music Hall of Fame and the Colorado Bluegrass Hall of Honor.

The Slocan Ramblers (featured on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville TN, 2020 IBMA Momentum Band of the Year Award Winner & 2019 Juno Award Nominee) are Canada’s bluegrass band to watch. Rooted in tradition, fearlessly creative and possessing a bold, dynamic sound, The Slocans have become a leading light of today’s acoustic music scene. With a reputation for energetic live shows, impeccable musicianship and an uncanny ability to convert anyone within earshot into a lifelong fan, The Slocans have been winning over audiences from Merlefest to RockyGrass and everywhere in between. On their new album Up the Hill and Through the Fog, the all-star Canadian roots ensemble channels the past two years of loss into a surprisingly joyous collection of twelve songs intended to uplift and help make sense of the world. Bluegrass music is nothing short of catharsis for The Slocan Ramblers. Though the past few years have brought the group accolades, that same momentum was abruptly halted by the pandemic’s brutal impact on live music. Over the next year, bandmates Adrian Gross and Darryl Poulsen both lost close family members and their bassist decided to step back to spend more time at home. They channeled these tumultuous changes into some of their most honest and direct compositions yet. Up the Hill and Through the Fog showcases the breadth of their varied influences while staying true to their roots in the rough and tumble bluegrass scene of Toronto’s no-nonsense bars and dancehalls. From Frank Evan’s classic, dusty vocals, to John Hartford-inspired lyrical musings, it’s all buttressed by impeccable musicianship, and emotionally raw songwriting from the three core members. This is roots music without pretension, art powerful enough to cut through the fog of the past two years and chart a more hopeful course forward. Say hello to your new favourite band. The Slocan Ramblers are: Frank Evans: Banjo/Vocals Adrian Gross: Mandolin Darryl Poulsen: Guitar/Vocals With Charles James: Bass/Vocals

The Blue Canyon Boys are equal parts purists and innovators when it comes to Bluegrass: they stay true to the form’s roots while constantly reimagining their relationship to tradition. The result is a toe-tapping mix of haunting standards, genre-bending arrangements, and catchy original numbers—all built on the bedrock of their collective bluegrass mastery. Ever since founding members Jason Hicks and Gary Dark launched the Blue Canyon Boys in 2006, the Blue Canyon Boys have raised the bar for bluegrass bands. They bring it all: seamless brother-duet style, crisp instrumentation, unvarnished lyrics and subversive humor. After winning first place 2008 Telluride Bluegrass festival band contest, the Blue Canyon Boys went off at full tilt, taking the bluegrass circuit by storm, performing in illustrious venues across the country as well as internationally. Their distinctive sound, honed from over a decade of performing together, moves easily from instrumental wizardry to playful ribbing. Ultimately and repeatedly, they hit a high note—the rare confluence of harmony that leaves the soul ajar. The seasoned quartet features Gary Dark on mandolin, Jason Hicks on guitar, Drew Garrett on bass, and Chris Roszell on banjo. Their acclaimed album, eponymously called The Blue Canyon Boys, was their most polished and poignant yet. Classic bluegrass, clean and raw, blends effortlessly with the band’s homegrown compositions, then peppered with a judicious cover or two, such as the band’s riveting take on Pink Floyd’s “Time.”

Thunder and Rain is a newgrass band based in Nashville. They weave together bluegrass instrumentation with award winning songwriting inspired by pop, country, classic rock and old time. Three part harmony and sing-along choruses support image-rich lyricism and thunderous banjo / fiddle drive. In their decade-long career, the band has shared the stage with Billy Strings, Krueger Brothers, Peter Rowan, AJ Lee and Blue Summit and Brothers Comatose. “Run With You”, a single released in 2020, was selected for the IBMA Songwriter Showcase 2023. Founding member and band leader Erinn Peet Lukes pursued her songwriting and performing career through major music hubs until she landed in Colorado in 2013, where Thunder and Rain formed from the Denver bluegrass scene. They’ve recorded three studio albums and toured the US, Canada, Ireland and the UK. The band’s bluegrass take on popular songs on YouTube have amassed hundreds of thousands of views. After the pandemic thwarted tour plans and band momentum in 2020, Lukes’ moved to Nashville where she met Amelia Ransom (fiddle) and Laura Ray (banjo). They hit it off right away, and decided to reform the band with an emphases on their strong three part harmony and more traditional feel. They are releasing their fourth studio album in Fall 2024. Rounded out on tour by upright bassist Andrew Tyler Brown, the band is excited to be on the road while creating and arranging new material.

Nine years and five studio albums later The River Arkansas have hit their flow state. Their recent four-song EP, Green Bridge, released in May 2023, encapsulates this spectacle. It was written, recorded, and produced by River Arkansas frontman Mike Clark in a reconstructed shed he fashioned into a music studio. The recordings manage to capture Clark’s natural ability to extend a friendly hand with tender delivery of lyrical encouragement sprinkled with notes of amusing humor. It may be low hanging fruit to compare The River Arkansas’s music to a river, but a band that delivers indie Americana and honky-tonk swing that erupts like turbulent rapids, curves into country calmness, and crashes smooth blues-rock upon the shore is deserving of the name sharing that sort of kindred power. A batch of Colorado’s finest musicians whose abilities shine throughout the golden hour that is Green Bridge. The four piece each skillfully showcases their craft while seamlessly bonding together as a band. Bolder Beat noted that, “Together, they give off a heartfelt and wholesome sound which resonates with the Colorado lifestyle of mountain life meets the pavement." Mike Clark (singer, songwriter) and Macon Terry (bass) formed The River Arkansas in 2014 after an impromptu studio session led to the release of their first album, Golden Light. The band picked up Robin Chestnut (drums) and Rachel Sliker (violin) for a month-long west coast tour that solidified the band's friendship and led to their sophomore album, You Animal. The band has evolved from a more tender sound to heavier soulful country and blues rock with 3-piece harmonies and stripped guitar and violin solos. With the release of Green Bridge, The River Arkansas demonstrates just how much they’ve mastered the steady flow of their sound.

In the summer of 2006, Alex Thoele and Jon Pickett met while playing guitars around a campfire, high on a mountaintop in Estes Park, CO. The two have been entertaining and writing music since. In 2010, they were joined by mandolin player and fellow midwesterner Jarett Mason. The newest addition to the band as of December 2018 is Chris “C-Bob” Elliot on banjo and vocals. Chain Station is a 4-piece, high-energy, get ‘em out on the dance floor string band from Denver, Colorado. Their music is well-steeped in Americana roots, with vocal harmonies that are high, lonesome, and tight. Their picking ranges from lightning-fast to mountain mellow. They are a bluegrass band that would satisfy a picky old-timer and delight fans of newgrass, a delicate balance indeed. They've become known for winning over crowds with creative, fun original songs that flow from the mountains, through them and right back to you. Pure Mountain Music! It's obvious these guys love what they do, engaging their growing fan base with energy and stage antics that guarantee one hell of a night out. The band’s highly anticipated new album “Backroads” went public May 11, 2019. The album “Where I want To Be” was released October, 2016. In 2015 a live album “Chain Up Volume 1” had a limited release and their debut studio album “Dancin’ With the Law” hit the scene in 2013. Chain Station has directly supported bands such as The Del McCoury Band, The Travelin’ McCourys, The Devil Makes Three, Todd Snider, Sierra Hull, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, Fruition, Trout Steak Revival, The Railsplitters, Lil’ Smokies, Hot Buttered Rum, Deadphish Orchestra and many more. This band has been living life through music and adventures together for eight years. Relentless gigging in and around their home state of Colorado, and the midwest and Canada has made this band of brothers one of the tightest, most professional ragtag pack of muppets on the scene today.

Tonewood String Band is an original bluegrass band based in Denver, CO. Founded in 2021, Tonewood has evolved from a improvisation heavy jamgrass trio to a vocally driven original bluegrass phenomenon. Praised for their original songwriting, powerful three-part vocal harmonies, and incendiary instrumental solos, Tonewood is poised to elevate Colorado bluegrass with their upcoming debut album set to release in 2025. The group consists of George Sepmeier (Violin, Mandolin), Evan Shely (Guitar), Elijah Donovan (Banjo), Matt Thomas (Upright Bass) and Steve Lisi (Percussion). Tonewood String Band has shared stages with notable local and national acts including The Fretliners, Yonder Mountain String Band, Railroad Earth, Twisted Pine, and Tony Trischka’s Earl Jam and played acclaimed bluegrass festivals including Tico Time Bluegrass Festival and Palisade Bluegrass & Roots Festival.

Lost Penny is a harmony-focused string band, playing bluegrass-influenced Folk and Americana. Their original songs are gems, often evoking a smile about the lyrics, or getting the audience on the dance floor. Their arrangements of covers are fresh, giving unexpected new life to old standards of all genres. The band includes Nadine Sekerez on guitar and vocals, who writes most of the band's original songs, Erin Dahlby on mandolin and vocals, Lauren Harris aka Elle Michelle on banjo, Derek Ray Kirkman on bass, and Caitlin Anderson on fiddle, making up a fun and energetic group of friends and musicians. They are free-range and prone to sing about dogs, Dolly, and Elvis.

SnowBelt is a duo based in Estes Park, Colorado with a love for traditional American music. SnowBelt's sound echoes with the spirit of bluegrass, old-time, and folk, while exploring spacey, improvisational jams. With a mix of original songs, fiddle-tune standards, and creative musical exploration, SnowBelt brings a distinctive sound to the local scene. The duo's roots trace back to their old home in Northern Michigan, a region affectionately known as the "Snow Belt" due to its heavy lake-effect snow. Max, originally from Michigan, grew up on a steady diet of Ralph Stanley and Doc Watson, which continues to influence his musical style today. A multi-instrumentalist, Max plays guitar, fiddle, 5-string banjo, and provides most of the duo’s vocals and songwriting, blending traditional sounds with midwestern nasality. Ann, hailing from Brown County, Indiana—the home of Bill Monroe’s historic Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival—was immersed in music from a young age. A classically trained violinist, Ann has knowledge in Old-Time, Bluegrass, and Irish fiddle styles. Ann also serves as the band’s Chief Executive of Quality Control, ensuring that Max plays on key and on time.

Haven Slay is a Coloradan country music singer and songwriter. Her music is a blend of traditional country,bluegrass, blues, folk,pop, and southern rock. Her debut studio album, Land of the Free (2025), is a mix of genres and lyrical themes of love and freedom.