World-renowned acoustic musicians Mark O’Connor (violin), Chris Thile (mandolin), Frank Vignola (guitar), Bryan Sutton (guitar), Jon Burr (bass) and Byron House (bass) can captivate audiences with just their instruments. But for them, jamming is a meeting of musical minds and genres in communication, a perfect example of holistic American music….

Steve Martin picked up Bluegrass’ biggest award at the GRAMMY’s last night. “The Crow: News Songs For the Five-String Banjo” (Rounder) was named “Best Bluegrass Album.” Martin edged out Rhonda Vincent’s “Destination Life,” Jim Lauderdale’s “Could We Get Any Closer,” Michael Martin Murphey’s “Buckaroo Blue Grass” and Bryan Sutton and friends’ “Almost Live.”…

The 2009-2010 symphony orchestra concert season marks the premiere of mandolinist Chris Thile’s three-movement concerto, “Mandolin Concerto (Ad astra per alia porcia).”

This innovative and virtuosic new work will be performed by Thile with seven American orchestras: The Colorado Symphony (Sept. 17, 19, and 20, with Jeffrey Kahane), the Oregon Symphony…

Nashville, Tenn., — For a variety of reasons, it’s harder than you might think for groups of musicians who’ve assembled for tours and special performances to preserve their unique chemistry on tape for fans and historians. Studio time and expense, multiple commitments and sheer logistics usually overwhelm the noblest archival impulses. Even artists who keep every clipping, poster and video cassette from their career usually can’t produce audio documents that capture fully and professionally what these special and sometimes historic gatherings actually sound like, which is funny considering that’s why they came together in the first place….

Nashville, Tenn. — Seventeen-year-old Texas native Sarah Jarosz emerged on the scene about five years ago as someone to watch. Jamming onstage with bluegrass icons David Grisman and Ricky Skaggs, Jarosz played her mandolin with a sure touch and real joy. It looked and sounded comfortable in her then twelve-year-old hands. She started writing songs on the guitar and took up the banjo….