Dec 11
An exceptional year for banjo master Tony Trischka
Tony Trischka photo by Gregory HeislerBurlington, MA - Tony Trischka, who has been hailed the “Modern Master of the Banjo” by the New York Times, has enjoyed a banner year in his career. Last week came the news that his latest album Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular has received a Grammy® nomination for Best Bluegrass Album.
Since its release in January, Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular, Trichka’s return to bluegrass, has been met with critical acclaim and taken Trischka’s career to new heights. Earlier this year he was featured on NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday in a segment that included an interview and performance with friends Béla Fleck and comedian/musician Steve Martin - both of whom are featured on Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular. Soon after, he and Martin performed together on The Ellen Degeneres Show and The Late Show with David Letterman.
In October, Trischka was given an IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) award for Banjo Player of the Year 2007 and Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular received IBMA awards for Recorded Event of the Year and Instrumental Album of the Year. Trischka also appears on Cathy Fink’s Banjo Talkin’ album, which is nominated for a Grammy® in the Best Traditional Folk Album category.
It is worth noting that three members of Country Cooking, the pivotal New York-based newgrass outfit with which Trischka began his career, were nominated for Grammy® awards this year. (In addition to Trischka, the other two former Country Cooking members were Russ Barenberg and Andy Statman, both nominated in the Best Country Instrumental category).
Double Banjo Bluegrass SpectacularJoining Trischka on Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular are a host of notable five-stringers, including the father of bluegrass banjo, Earl Scruggs (heard on “Farewell Blues”), comedian and musician Steve Martin (heard on two tracks including Martin’s original “The Crow”), Béla Fleck (heard on three tracks), Alison Brown, Tom Adams, Kenny Ingram, Scott Vestal, Noam Pikelny, and Bill Emerson. Other non-banjo playing guest musicians include Tony Rice, Jerry Douglas, Chris Thile, Sam Bush, Ron Stewart, Tim Stafford, Byron House, David Grier, Barry Bales and Stuart Duncan. Featured vocalists include Thile and rising bluegrass musician Michael Daves trading verses on “Run Mountain” and Dudley Connell on “Live and Let Live” as well as a striking version of the bluegrass perennial “Fox on the Run.”
At the center of the recording is Tony Trischka. His sterling musicianship and unerring touch on the banjo cements the wide range of sounds, styles, and personnel on Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular, creating an album steeped in timeless bluegrass soul, yet entirely contemporary and personal.
From Rounder
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