Hailed as one of the most innovative and respected musicians in his field for over 40 years, banjo master Tony Trischka has been awarded a $50,000 USA Fellowship grant from United States Artists. Every year, United States Artists invites leaders in nearly every artistic discipline to submit names of artists they believe show extraordinary talent and commitment to their craft.
On December 22, Tony Trischka and his bluegrass band ‘Territory’ will perform at Mexicali Live in his home state of NJ. Celebrated for its “adventurous spirit” (Washington Post), Territory features Tony, Michael Daves (guitar, vocals), Skip Ward (double bass) and Mike Barnett (fiddle).
In January, Tony and six of the world’s most influential five-string banjo players including Béla Fleck - all with ties to New York state - will unite for the New York Banjo Summit, an unprecedented tour featuring (at times, all seven) banjos played in traditional and often unexpected ways.
Trischka is currently working on his latest album for Rounder Records and has recently produced ‘Rare Bird Alert,’ the album by Steve Martin featuring Paul McCartney and the Dixie Chicks. He is also the musical director on the PBS Special and DVD release of ‘The Banjo Project.’ The Grammy-nominated album ‘Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular’ in 2007 marked Tony’s “return to bluegrass,” and earned him featured segments on NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday, Ellen and the Late Show with David Letterman - with friends and collaborators Béla Fleck and comedian / musician Steve Martin.
Tony Trischka is of the instrument's top teachers with numerous instructional books, DVDs, CDs and the groundbreaking Tony Trischka School of Banjo; the online banjo home for students from all around the world.
Tony Trischka & Territory
Dec 22 - Teaneck, NJ Mexicali Live
New York Banjo Summit
(Tony Trischka, Béla Fleck, Bill Keith, Eric Weissberg, Richie Stearns, Noam Pickelny)
Jan 16 - Alexandria, VA Birchmere
Jan 17 - Tarrytown, NY Music Hall
Jan 18 - Northampton, MA Calvin Theatre
Jan 19 - Princeton, NJ McCarter Theatre
Jan 20 - New York, NY Schimmel Center
