Greensky Bluegrass
is an American bluegrass band founded in 2000.
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GREENSKY BLUEGRASS TICKETS
EVENT | DATE | AVAILABILITY |
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Greensky Bluegrass Tickets 12/30 | Dec 30, 2024 Mon, 8:00 PM | | Greensky Bluegrass Tickets 12/31 | Dec 31, 2024 Tue, 9:00 PM | | Greensky Bluegrass Tickets 1/16 | Jan 16, 2025 Thu, 7:30 PM | | Greensky Bluegrass Tickets 1/17 | Jan 17, 2025 Fri, 8:00 PM | | Greensky Bluegrass Tickets 1/18 | Jan 18, 2025 Sat, 7:30 PM | |
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Career
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
. Both Bates and Carr left the band shortly thereafter, and in the fall of the same year, Greensky Bluegrass welcomed bassist
Michael Devol
.
In the early summer of 2006 the band were winners of the
Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Competition
[1], earning them a spot on the main stage of the 2007 festival. Soon thereafter they released their second studio album,
Tuesday Letter
. This project, produced by Tim Carbone of
Railroad Earth, has proven a milestone in the quartet's growth as musicians and increasing exposure to a national community.
In November 2007 the band released its first live recording
Live At Bell's
, documenting two shows at Bell's Brewery in their hometown of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Just over a month later Greensky Bluegrass added
Anders Beck
of
Wayword Sons to the line up, replacing Al Bates on dobro. His playing is adding great depth to their existing material and opening many doors to new songs. In August 2008 the band released their third studio recording
Five Interstates
, also produced by
Railroad Earth violinist 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. The mixing of original compositions with traditional bluegrass numbers gives the band a broad spectrum in which to display their 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 show traders.
On-stage collaborations have paired the boys with
Railroad Earth,
The Hackensaw Boys,
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 Avett Brothers,
Darrell Scott,
King Wilkie,
David Grisman Quintet and more.
Band members
From left to right:
- Anders Beck
- dobro
- Michael Arlen Bont
- banjo/vocals
- Paul Hoffman
- mandolin/vocals
- Mike Devol
- bass/vocals
- David Bruzza
- guitar/vocals
Discography
- Less Than Supper
, 2004 Big Blue Zoo
- Tuesday Letter
, 2006 Big Blue Zoo
- Live At Bell's
, 2007 Big Blue Zoo
- Five Interstates
, 2008 Big Blue Zoo
Greensky Bluegrass is a trade-friendly band, meaning people are free to audio record their live shows for trade within the community.
References
- Green Sky upset