St. Clair Productions presents banjo virtuoso Tony Trischka on Friday, November 16, 8 p.m., at the Unitarian Fellowship, 87 4th St., Ashland. Tickets are $20 in advance, $22 at the door, $10 for teens 12-17 and free under 12. Tickets are available on-line at www.stclairevents.com, by calling 541-535-3562 or at the Music Coop in downtown Ashland. Sponsored in part by the Western States Arts Federation and National Endowment for the Arts.
Joining Trischka is his band Territory: Brandon Rickman on guitar and vocals; Tashina Clarridge on fiddle; and Skip Ward on bass.
Opening the show is Rainy and the Rattlesnakes – Rainy (11), Lela (8) and Ray (dad) Miatke.
Trischka taught and performs with Bela Fleck. He also performs with Steve Martin, who appears on Trischka’s CD Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular. In addition, Trischka produced Martin’s CD Rare Bird Alert. Trischka is the music director for the PBS special Give Me the Banjo narrated by Martin.
In presenting his ever-changing Americana-flavored performances, banjoist Trischka draws on his 40 year career to create a masterful mix of bluegrass, jazz, old time, popular, classical, Celtic, and original music. Though often thought of as a one-trick-pony, the banjo, in Trischka’s hands, becomes a vehicle of kaleidoscopic expression. Of course, there are the searing virtuosic, rapid-fire bluegrass instrumentals to ignite any audience. In addition, though, there are more poignant pieces (many of them original compositions) that plumb deeper emotional depths.
Trischka is perhaps the most influential banjo player in the roots music world. His stylings have inspired a whole generation of bluegrass and acoustic musicians. He also is one of the instrument's top teachers, and has created numerous instructional books and teaching videos. In 2009, Trischka launched his on-line Tony Trischka School of Banjo, an interactive school where students also post their own videos to be critiqued.
In addition to his concert, Trischka teaches Bluegrass Banjo and Beyond Workshop on Saturday, November 17, 10 a.m.-noon, at the Unitarian Fellowship. The workshop is open to all levels and costs $35. Register at www.stclairevents.com or call 541-535-3562.
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