Tony Trischka & Bruce Molsky ~ Live Streamed from Watchung Arts

The Watchung Arts Center is delighted and honored to present two outstanding performers, each at the top of his field on Saturday, June 5 at 8PM. Tony Trischka, “known as the father of modern bluegrass” (New York Times), and Bruce Molsky, “one of the world's premier Appalachian-style fiddlers” (Bloomberg News), will join together in a very special performance.

Tony Trischka, the man who made the banjo bigger, jazzier and more worldly! Some musicians open up whole new realms. In the world of the banjo, the music that marked the change came from Tony. Up out of bluegrass and country and then all over. To roots in Africa. To heights of jazz. Banjo, unbound. Trischka set it free. “...the great banjo liberationist...” (Tom Ashbrook NPR). Embracing all manner of possibilities, while keeping one foot firmly planted in the traditional bluegrass roots that first inspired him to make music.

Mr. Trischka has over the past half-century garnered a reputation as one of the most influential figures in roots music. As a banjoist he set new standards for genre-bending virtuosity, inspiring legions of younger players, among them Béla Fleck. Through his tireless efforts as an educator and such divergent projects as his collaborations with his friend and fellow banjoist Steve Martin, he’s helped to elevate and transform his chosen instrument’s profile within American culture. His album, This Favored Land, is a visionary exploration of Civil War history featuring an all-star cast. Tony’s newest release Shall We Hope is a dramatized listening experience.

Bruce Molsky is one of the most revered “multi-hyphenated career” ambassadors for America’s old-time mountain music. For decades, he’s been a globetrotting performer and educator, a recording artist with an expansive discography including seven solo albums, well over a dozen collaborations and two Grammy-nominations. Bruce’s live and recorded work has not only drawn raves from his fellow musicians but the media. No Depression calls Molsky “an absolute master,” while Mother Jones calls him “easily one of the nation’s most talented fiddlers… he transports you, geographically, historically and most of all emotionally. NPR says, “his playing is mesmerizing, transporting and best experienced live.”

“Performing and teaching traditional music is the biggest thing in my world,” concludes Molsky. “For me, being a musician isn’t a standalone thing; it informs everything I do in my life. It’s always been about being creative and being a part of something much bigger than myself, a link in the musical chain and part of the community of people who play it and love it.”

Tickets are $30 per household. Due to limited tickets, advance purchase for this virtual concert is strongly recommended and can be purchased securely through Eventbrite (watchungartscenter.eventbrite.com). Tickets may also be purchased by mail (please include email address). The box office will close on Saturday, June 5 at 6:30 PM. The Zoom link will be sent via email to the ticket holders by 7 PM on the day of the event.

The Watchung Arts Center, located at 18 Stirling Road in Watchung on the Watchung Circle, is a multi-disciplinary arts facility serving Watchung, the surrounding communities and the Tri-State Area. To obtain more information about upcoming performances, classes and workshops, and monthly art exhibitions, please visit WatchungArts.org or call 908-753-0190.

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Summary: Tony Trischka and Bruce Molsky Live Streamed from Watchung Arts Center

Where: Watchung Arts Center, 18 Stirling Road, Watchung, NJ (Virtual Concert)

When: Saturday, June 5, 8PM

Tickets: $30. Advance purchase is strongly recommended at watchungartscenter.eventbrite.com

Contact: (908) 753-0190 or wacenter@optonline.net or watchungarts.org