THE CALIFORNIA BLUEGRASS REUNION

Legends of the Freight Series: This show is part of an ongoing series honoring artists who have contributed to the Freight’s legacy and history over many decades.The California Bluegrass Reunion is an annual celebration of California’s rich bluegrass tradition, featuring an extraordinary lineup of musicians with deep California roots who have all made significant contributions to the genre. This year’s concert brings together some of the finest talents in bluegrass, including Bill Evans(banjo), John Reischman (mandolin), Jim Nunally (guitar), Chad Manning (fiddle), Sharon Gilchrist (bass) and Mike Witcher (dobro). These musicians have performed together in various combinations for decades, including thirteen annual performances at The Freight.

This year, the California Bluegrass Reunion will pay tribute to the California songwriters and tunesmiths that have shaped acoustic music over the last five decades, including new performances of songs from such California-based composers as Kate Wolf, Herb Pedersen, Laurie Lewis, Kathy Kallick, Tony Rice, David Grisman and more – including, of course, the compositions of the Bluegrass Reunion band members themselves. And don’t be surprised if some of these songwriters show up to help the band perform these songs!

Bill Evans has been involved with bluegrass music and the world of the banjo as a player, teacher, composer, writer and historian for over forty-five years. He is a recipient of the coveted Steve Martin Banjo Prize, is a member o the American Banjo Museum’s Hall of Fame and the author of “Banjo for Dummies.” He occupies a unique niche in the banjo world: celebrated worldwide for his traditional as well as progressive bluegrass banjo styles as well as his innovative original compositions, he also enjoys a reputation as an outstanding instructor as well as being an expert player of 19th century minstrel and classic banjo styles. Bill currently tours with his solo show The Banjo in America. In over twenty-seven years as a California-based performer, he has performed with David Grisman, Peter Rowan, Alan Munde, Jody Stecher, Eric & Suzy Thompson, David Bromberg, Tony Trischka, and Kathy Kallick among many others. For ten years, Bill hosted a monthly bluegrass residency at the Kensington Circus Pub with Jim Nunally and Chad Manning that drew fans from all over the world. He hosts five instructional courses for Peghead Nation.