More banjo than most

Banjo doesn’t get much attention at the Practice Room, but it’s not for lack of respect. Tony Trischka has been exploring the outer regions of the harmonic world via banjo since the 1960s, and has become one of the instrument’s most respected players. Here’s a blurb from his bio: 

“In a career that has now encompassed three and a half decades, Tony Trischka has created an endless array of new possibilities for that most American of instruments, the five-string banjo. Trischka's creative urgency, instinctive curiosity, and willingness to press beyond traditional boundaries are balanced by a thorough commitment to the instrument and its history. One evening might find him unleashing spiraling lydian melodies at the front of a full-throttle jazz fusion outfit, while the next night he may be in a folk club, performing traditional African melodies on one of the banjo's gourd-bellied forefathers. 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.”

Trischka has a new CD out on Rounder Records called Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular. The formula adds another banjo to the standard bluegrass lineup; guest banjologists include Earl Scruggs, Bela Fleck, Steve Martin, Scott Vestal, Alison Brown and more; other players (monsters all) include Jerry Douglas (dobro), Chris Thile (mandolin), Tony Rice (guitar) and Sam Bush (mandolin). Tracks are available for your consideration at the Rounder Records web site.

[TJH]

Comments

[Sydney Johntson]

Thanks for the info. Best greetings to all!