Greensky Bluegrass
Greensky Bluegrass at SonicBids
’Grow Bananas’ Mini-Video Winners of the 2006 Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Competition, Michigan’s own Greensky Bluegrass is earning recognition nationwide as a growing force in acoustic roots music...
Performing at festivals, theaters, clubs and listening rooms all over the US, their rare traditional sound is piquing the interests of not only bluegrass enthusiasts, but lovers of music of all genres. It is their unique "fusion of tradition and enthusiasm for improvisation" that has come to define the band’s creative and tangible compositional style.
Formed in the fall of 2000 by
Michael Arlen Bont (banjo), Dave Bruzza (guitar), and
Paul Hoffman (mandolin), Greensky has undergone a musical evolution as unique as the music it has produced. As newcomers to the bluegrass scene, the three sought to define themselves within the framework of their bluegrass favorites while establishing a voice of their own, drawing upon an array of influences and varied musical backgrounds. This voice first became evident in their May 2004 release of Less than Supper, recorded with bassist
Chris Carr and dobro player
Al Bates. In the fall of the same year, Greensky Bluegrass welcomed bassist
Michael Devol, and in the summer of 2006 released their second studio album,
Tuesday Letter. This album, produced by Tim Carbone of Railroad Earth, has proven a milestone in the quartet’s growth as musicians and increasing exposure to a thriving national community. On December 31st of 2007 Greensky Bluegrass added
Anders Beck (dobro) to the line up to. His playing is adding great depth to their existing material, and opening many doors to new songs. The new quintet will be recording a studio album in the late spring of 2008.
"...every great album starts with great songs and this record is no exception. Songs of hope, truth, loss, and love of family and friends are all here. Songs that will make you laugh, dance and think. And songs of grace." -Tim Carbone Live performance is central to Greensky Bluegrass’ presence in today’s eclectic acoustic scene. Touring extensively since 2005, Greensky has developed great versatility in the performance arena, earning audiences nationwide, from all walks of life. The mixing of original compositions with traditional bluegrass numbers gives the band a broad spectrum in which to display their driving technical chops, vocal abilities, and lyrical insight. A spirit of improvisation remains evident in live shows, which contributes to an ever-growing population of returning fans and avid show traders. On-stage collaborations have paired the boys with Railroad Earth, Larry Keel and Natural Bridge, and Steppin’ in It. The band has also shared bills with influential acts including Ralph Stanley, Peter Rowan and Tony Rice Quartet, Yonder Mountain String Band, Sam Bush Band, New Monsoon, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Keller Williams, Hot Buttered Rum, Vince Herman, The Mammals, The Hackensaw Boys, The Avett Brothers, Darrell Scott, King Wilkie, David Grisman Quintet and more.
The band recorded material for their first live album
Live at Bell’s on June 1 and August 2 of 2007 at their home venue of Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo, Michigan and are now touring to support it’s release. Listeners can look forward to a live experience that
Larry Keel has referred to as
"a true hoedown… Kalamazoo style".
For full tour information check us out on
Jambase .
See y’all down the road!!!!!!!!!
