Tony Trischka (photo by James Porto)
One of the banjo’s true innovators and a foundational figure in the current progressive bluegrass renaissance, Tony Trischka will perform at the Unison Arts & Learning Center in New Paltz on Saturday, September 15. Recent recordings such as 2008’s Territory and 2007’s Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular find Trischka in traditional preservationist mode – seemingly almost in reaction to the glut of irreverent newgrass that he himself started with the popgrass band Skyline and on full-bore, unapologetic fusion albums such as 1999’s Bend. But Trischka, who has been recording since 1973, has all the tricks up his sleeve. Maybe that is why, in 2009, Trischka founded the Tony Trischka School of Banjo: an online, tech-enabled approach to teaching an old American technology.
Trischka performs at Unison with vocalist and guitarist Michael Daves and bassist Skip Ward. The show begins at 8 p.m. Advance tickets cost $17 for Unison members and $22 for non-members. Expect to pay an additional $2 at the door. Students get in for half-price. Call Unison at (845) 255-1559 to purchase tickets, or go online at www.unisonarts.org. Unison is a not-for-profit multi-arts center located at 68 Mountain Rest Road in New Paltz.