Greg Cahill

“Ultimate Banjo,” the third installment in Pinecastle Records’ Ultimate series, was released Wednesday.

The album features banjo greats who are featured on Pinecastle recordings as well as others who have made their marks with the five-string. Tracks feature Sonny Osborne, Eddie Adcock, Greg Cahill, Earl Scruggs, Pete Wernick, Scott Vestal, David McLaughlin, Kristin Scott Benson, Jeff Murray, Jim Mills, Aaron McDaris and Ross Nickerson.

“Ultimate Banjo” is a 20-song instrumental compilation that showcases the fast, hard-driving, three-finger bluegrass style.

In addition to focusing on the sound of the banjo, Pinecastle also wanted to spread some knowledge about the instrument’s history.

Greg Cahill, chairman of the board and president of the International Bluegrass Music Association, banjo player extraordinaire and founder of the Chicago-based band Special Consensus, composed detailed liner-notes on the musical evolution of the banjo.

The new compilation follows the release of Pinecastle’s “Ultimate Pickin‘” and “More Ultimate Pickin‘.”

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Tony Trischka photo by Gregory Heisler

Burlington, 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 Spectacular

Joining 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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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The Illinois State Fair’s annual fiddle and banjo contest will be held Saturday (Aug. 11) on the Springfield fairground’s Lincoln Stage. Both contests are split into three age divisions: junior for those 16 and younger; 17 to 59 years old; and a senior division for those 60 and older.

First-place prize money ranges from $200 to $150, with cash awarded to the top three finishers in each class. No entry fee is required to enter the contest, but contestants must pay their own admission to the fairgrounds. Contestants may enter the day of the contest, starting at 9 a.m. Registration will close at 10:15 a.m.

Each contestant must play two tunes of their choice, one being a hoe down and the other a waltz. No more than three accompanists will be allowed per contestant and electric amplification is a no-no.

Fiddle players cannot perform “Black Mountain Rag,” “Orange Blossom Special” and “Listen to the Mockingbird.”

Judging will be on the following abilities: rhythm and timing, creativity, authenticity and taste, expression and execution.

The order of performance for contestants will be posted at the Lincoln Stage one hour prior to competition.

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