PUTNEY — Twilight Music presents International Bluegrass Music Association Banjo Player of the Year Tony Trischka and his band, plus Putney-based banjoist Bruce Stockwell, at Next Stage on Saturday, May 4, at 7:30 p.m.
Tony Trischka is perhaps the most influential banjo player in the roots music world. For more than 35 years, his stylings have inspired a generation of bluegrass and acoustic musicians, including Bela Fleck, one of his early students.
Trischka has been a key figure in opening the banjo and acoustic music in general to wider influences, having shared the stage and studio with the likes of Steve Martin, David Grisman, John Denver, The Boston Pops, Jorma Kaukonen, Sam Bush, Chris Thile, Peter Rowan, and Earl Scruggs.
He has appeared on “Late Night with David Letterman,” Garrison Keillor's “A Prairie Home Companion,” and is featured on the soundtrack of the film “Driving Miss Daisy” (1989).
Trischka's band includes guitarist Chris Eldridge, fiddler John Mailander, and acoustic bassist Jared Engel.
Merlefest Bluegrass Banjo Contest winner Bruce Stockwell is a founding member of newgrass and contemporary folk trio The Stockwell Brothers and traditional bluegrass quartet Hot Mustard. For this concert, he joins Trischka for a set of double banjo arrangements of bluegrass tunes, showcasing America's signature musical instrument.