Ask any musicologist about the origins of old time and bluegrass music, and a disquisition on banjo and fiddle music won’t be far behind. Particularly in the Appalachian regions where self-sufficient immigrants from the British isles and their descendants tended to aggregate – and where scarcity and frugality were the norm – a neighbor with a fiddle was sufficient for a dance, and a fiddle and a banjo was a band in the days before radio brought musical entertainment into the home.
As the American folk string tradition developed in the 20th century, both bluegrass and old time musicians held on to the power and majesty of just a banjo and a fiddle. Whether played in the clawhammer or three finger style, the banjo provides a perfect complement to the fiddle, and the sound of the two together is irresistible.
Now, in a modern society where technology can deliver a vast library of recorded music to the pocket of nearly every living person, the charm of the banjo/fiddle duet still holds sway. Especially when practiced by such masters of their instruments as Stuart Duncan and Noam Pikelny, who have announced a duo tour for this Spring and Summer to demonstrate that point.
This talented pair will be performing at small concert venues and large festivals all across the US this next few months.
- May 7 – Largo at the Coronet – Los Angeles, CA
- May 17 – Forest Fest – Louisville, KY
- May 18 – Barking Legs Theater – Chattanooga, TN
- May 20 – Eau Claire Regional Arts Center – Eau Claire, WI
- May 21 – Dakota Jazz Club – Minneapolis, MN
- May 22 – Old Town School of Folk Music – Chicago, IL
- June 25 – The Melting Point – Athens, GA
- June 26 – Downhome – Johnson City, TN
- June 27 – ROMP – Owensboro, KY
- June 28 – Franklin Theatre – Franklin, TN
- July 25 – RockyGrass – Lyons, CO
Fans and students of the banjo and fiddle know Stuart and Noam as among the very finest to have ever plied their trade, with all the attendant awards and critical acclaim that entails. This should be a must see event wherever they land with this tour.
More details about venues and ticketing can be found online.
