Banjo Studio Podcast

We recently sat down to talk with 5-string banjo legend Tony Trischka. Tony has been a pioneer in progressive bluegrass and 5-string banjo for decades. He has won numerous awards and has pushed the banjo into new territories. 

Jens Kruger of the Kruger Brothers is a modern master of the 5 string banjo who is taking the instrument to places it has never been. Born in Switzerland and now living in North Carolina, Jens' music bridges American folk music and European classical music styles. He has composed for a full symphony orchestra as well as a number of string quartets and more.

This is a fascinating interview with one of the great creative forces in American music of our time. Listen to Joe Henry go into depth about his songwriting process, production process, and more. If you’re a fan of music of any kind you will enjoy and learn from this interview.

Guitarist Adam Levy (Norah Jones, Tracey Chapman) is known for his tone and taste. Adam talks with host Jonathan Freilich about his concept on the guitar, how he looks at the guitar from a more compositional/pianistic approach as oppose to a cliche guitar licks approach, his studies with Ted Greene, his current online guitar lessons course, and more.

This week we talk with the mesmerizing singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist (guitar, banjo, ukulele) Valerie June. Valerie hails from Tennessee and has a unique sound that blends blues, country, and Appalachia. She has an amazingly effervescent, positive spirit and this comes across in her music.

Host Jonathan Freilich talks with 5 string banjoist Rob McCoury of the Del McCoury Band and the Travelin' McCourys. Jonathan talks with Rob about what he is currently working on, how he is getting on during the Covid lockdown, and what it was like growing up around the music of his father Del McCoury.