Bruce Molsky

Bruce Molsky’s Mountain Drifters trio has been leading the current wave of interest in old time mountain music with a distinctive and high-powered take on southern old time tunes and songs. They also bring their collective voice to other traditional styles. The result has great diversity, drawing many styles into a common  space that audiences love to be a part of. 

Grammy-nominated and described as “an absolute master” (No Depression), Bruce Molsky transports audiences to another time and place, with his authentic and personal interpretations of rarities from the Southern Appalachian songbook and other musical traditions from around the globe. Best known for his work on the fiddle, Bruce’s banjo, guitar and his distinctive, powerful vocals also resonate with listeners. His combination of technical virtuosity and relaxed conversational wit makes a concert hall feel like an intimate front porch gathering. 

Bruce's take on tradition has landed him in collaborations with some of the world's most highly respected players from roots to rock. He is a special guest on legend rocker Mark Knopfler’s recent CD, “Tracker.” His 1865 Songs of Hope & Home with Anonymous 4, was on Billboard’s top 10 for weeks. Along with Andy Irvine & Donal Lunny, Bruce is a founding member of the supergroup Mozaik, with three recordings. You can see Bruce on the BBC TV “Transatlantic Sessions” with Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas, and on “David Holt’s State of Music” on PBS. He stays active touring and recording with longtime collaborators Darol Anger, Tony Trischka and Mountain Drifters’ Allison de Groot. 

A founding member of Molsky’s Mountain Drifters, Allison de Groot drills down on her love for old-time and traditional music, and with a creative approach to the banjo, and has formed her own sound – distinctive and full of personality. Her collaborations with Tatiana Hargreaves, Molsky's Mountain Drifters, The Goodbye Girls and Nic Gareiss provide spaces to explore the role and dimensions of clawhammer banjo. She has performed at Newport Folk Festival, Celtic Connections, Rockygrass, Hardly Strictly, Winnipeg Folk Festival, Tønder Festival, and many others over years of collaborations. Her album with Tatiana Hargreaves won "Best Bluegrass Album" from the Independent Music Awards and was nominated for 'Liner Notes of the Year' at the International Bluegrass Music Association awards. 

The newest addition to the trio, Reed Stutz brings instrumental fluency and a fresh, unique voice to string band music. As a multi-instrumentalist and singer, he has performed around the country with musicians including Alice Gerrard & Tatiana Hargreaves, Bella White, and Bruce & Allison, playing at festivals such as Grey Fox, IBMA World of Bluegrass, Porch Pride, and Old Tone Roots Music Festival. His mandolin playing and singing can be heard all over Bella White’s acclaimed debut album “Just Like Leaving” on Rounder Records, and he appears on Joe Troop’s album “Borrowed Time.”