Bill Evans’ Banjo in America with special guest Babi Evans

Description

Banjo player extraordinaire Bill Evans now makes Augusta County his home and SolArt is proud to present Bill in his first local appearance. Bill is the 2022 recipient of the Steve Martin Banjo Prize and is a member of the American Banjo Music Hall of Fame and regional music fans may remember him from his 1980’s progressive bluegrass band Cloud Valley, featuring bassist Missy Raines.

For this concert, Bill is presenting the Banjo In America in addition to playing a mini-set of duets with his wife Babi. With the Banjo in America, Bill takes the listener on a musical adventure, following the banjo from its West African roots to the New World, performing musical examples from the 1700’s to the present day on up to ten vintage instruments. From an 18th century African dance tune to the music of the Civil War, and from early 20th century ragtime to folk and bluegrass banjo styles to Bill’s own original music and arrangements, The Banjo in America illuminates as well as entertains, exposing audiences to over 250 years of American musical traditions.

For the last thirty years, Bill has presented The Banjo in America throughout the United States, Europe, the United Kingdom and Japan, performing with the San Francisco Symphony, on A Prairie Home Companion and The Woodsongs Radio Hour and as an artist-in-residence at many universities. Over a forty-five performing career, Bill has appeared with Peter Rowan, David Grisman, David Bromberg, Norman Blake, Dan Crary, Jody Stecher, Dry Branch Fire Squad, Alan Munde and Tony Trischka, among many others. Bill is the author of Banjo For Dummies and Bluegrass Banjo For Dummies. Both are best sellers in the banjo instructional world. To learn more about Bill, visit www.billevansbanjo.com.

Here’s what people are saying about Bill Evans:

“Bill Evans does for the five-string banjo what Van Gogh did for color.”

FOLKWORDS

“Evans infuses his work with hints of jazz, classical and music of other realms, all fitting snugly into his conception of the bluegrass sound.”

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

“It’s one thing to be a strong progressive banjo player; another to excel at the traditional end of the spectrum. To be able to add an indelible mark to the whole history of the instrument is getting ridiculous. High kudos to Bill Evans.” 

TONY TRISCHKA

“Bill Evans is one of those figures whose name is almost synonymous with the American banjo.”

BLUEGRASS UNLIMITED

“One of the best banjo players on the planet.” 

SAN JOSE MERCURY

Date & Time

Thu, Jan 23, 2025 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Venue Details

SolArt Center

6 Byers Street
Staunton, Virginia 24401

Eclectic Retro