Grammy Award-Winning Album to be performed at the Garde Arts Center
Saturday, April 9 8PM
Over the last four decades, Béla Fleck has made a point of boldly going where no banjo player has gone before, a musical journey that has earned him 15 Grammys in nine different fields, including Country, Pop, Jazz, Instrumental, Classical and World Music. But his roots are in bluegrass, and that’s where he returns with his first bluegrass tour in 24 years, My Bluegrass Heart.
My Bluegrass Heart is the third chapter of a trilogy that began with the 1988 album, Drive, and continued in 1991 with The Bluegrass Sessions. Fleck’s band will spotlight a multi-generational gamut of the best of bluegrass players, all sporting a myriad of Grammy Awards and nominations, as well as gigantic piles of IBMA awards for their instruments: fiddler Stuart Duncan, mandolinist Sierra Hull, multi-instrumentalist Justin Moses, bassist/multi-instrumentalist Mark Schatz, and Bryan Sutton on guitar.
My Bluegrass Heart is available now from BMG; learn more at BelaFleck.com!
Jamming will be held after the show for those who wish to participate !!
Podunk Bluegrass SONGWRITER’S COMPETITION
If you are a songwriter, the Podunk annual songwriting competition is underway and nearing its closing date, April 30. All details are available at the festival website, Podunkbluegrass.com and they include links to the sound tracks of past winners of this competition.
The top three contenders are invited to the festival and are given the opportunity to perform their contest entry on our Main Stage. Monetary awards as well as some perks are provided to the top three songwriters.
Of special note, the winning song from 2021 will be performed at Podunk 2022 by the band competition groups. The best six songs are provide on a compilation CD to all of the Main Stage performers at this year’s festival. In addition, a copy of the winning song is provided to area bluegrass-friendly radio stations for airing.
Tony Trishka and Bruce Molsky at the Westchester Bluegrass Club
The Westchester Bluegrass Club is proud to present Tony Trischka and Bruce Molsky! Tony and Bruce are giants in the Appalachian / Bluegrass world!! They have toured as a duo recently and we are so lucky to have such virtuosic players grace our stage!!
Doors open: 6:30 pm, open mic 7:00 – 8:00pm, Tony and Bruce 8:10 – 9:30 pm
Donation : $30.00 At Door : $35.00
Tony will be doing a banjo workshop prior to the show in the late afternoon for those who might be interested in hanging with a Master sharing his knowledge !!
Contact : westchesterbluegrassclub@gmail.com for info and tickets !!
Mile Twelve in Hamden
Sunday, May 1, 3 PM, outdoor house concert, 166 Mather St. Hamden, CT. Tickets $30 at www.guitartownct.com. Bring chair and refreshments.
John Jorgenson Band @ Pawling Concert Series
Pawling Concert Series is presenting J2B2 Friday, April 22nd at Gardiner Theater in Pawling NY, just over the border from Sherman CT.
The four members of J2B2 combine on acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo, bass, and vocals to deliver what one reviewer described as bluegrass with the “high lonesome sound” of American roots music at its finest. The group has appeared at the Grand Ole Opry; John Jorgenson played Django Reinhardt in the Hollywood feature film Head in the Clouds; and, as a reviewer in Greensboro, NC noted, “Expect fireworks and amazing playing from some of the best string players in the world.
More info and tickets at https://www.pawlingconcertseries.org/upcoming-concerts.
Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Pawling-Concert-Series-211089795598143
MUSIC CAMPS NORTH
Mandolin, Fiddle, Guitar, and Banjo Camps coming up!
Fiddle, Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Vocal Workshops
FHO will have 180 live workshops to learn from, 35 live concerts to enjoy, and 35 live jam sessions to join on Zoom, for fiddle, mandolin, cello, guitar, old-time banjo, & singing. Info and registration (and discounts) at https//FiddleHell.org.
Open Bluegrass JAMS
Thursday, April 7 New Haven – CAFE 9
“The show will be preceded by an open acoustic Bluegrass Jam from 7-9PM. Bring Your Guitars, Fiddles, Mandolins, Banjos, Bass, and Dobros and join the fun. Hosted by Austin Scelzo and sponsored by the Connecticut Bluegrass Association”
Second Thursdays at Note Kitchen, Bethel CT
Our standing Second Thursday series will continue!
Fourth Sundays at Nod Hill Brewery (Ridgefield CT)
Open jam from 2:30-6:30
*Charter Oak Brewery Danbury CT
No Jam this month, but two Thursdays in May: May 5th and 26th 6:30-9
St. Johns Bluegrass Festival North Guilford
St. Johns will host the 4th Annual Bluegrass Festival this year with big-name headliner band ‘Ambor Anchor’ as well as ‘On the Trail’ and ‘Grass Routes’.
To make the event extra special this year we have invited Astin Scelzo to hold his ‘Pete Wernick Method (Jam Instruction) class prior to the beginning of the festival. Austin is President of the Connecticut Bluegrass Association and will not disappoint with his top notch bluegrass session the day of and prior to the event start time.
Additionally, for the first time ever, we will have an ‘Open Jam’ where paid guests can bring their own instruments and jam with other musicians during intermission. Experience is not necessary.
The event will take place in the beautiful serene hills of North Guilford. This is a family event, where great local bluegrass music and comradery meet on the hill! Boyscout Pack 472 and soloist Lisa Bollard with kick off the event with the National Anthem.
What: St John’s Episcopal Church in North Guilford hosts it’s 4th Annual Bluegrass Festival with special recognition of it’s 275th Anniversary.
When: Saturday August 27th, 2022 , rain date Sunday August 28th, 2022
Time: Pete Wernick Jam Instruction 2-4pm Bluegrass Festival 4-7pm
Where: St John’s Episcopal Church, 129 Ledge Hill Road North Guilford CT 06437
Cost: Pete Wernick Jam Instruction $30-35
Bluegrass Festival admittance $20 Children under 12 Free
Hot Dogs, Soda, Water and roasted corn on the cob will be available
Bring your picnic and chairs to this family event!
Questions: Karolyn Nicolaides 203-710-1345
Connecticut Bluegrass Association 