Bluegrass is a uniquely American genre of roots music that arose in the 1940s in the Appalachians. Traditionally, Bluegrass is played on acoustic instruments, and has origins in a variety of genres including jazz, blues, and traditional Irish, Scottish, and English ballads. The instruments used include upright bass, mandolin, guitar, banjo, and occasionally harmonica. Tight vocal harmonies also characterize the genre.
Greensky Bluegrass first got together in mid-2000 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and is not quite in the traditional Bluegrass mold. The outfit began as a trio, then enlarged to five members and added a light show and electric effects. Based on their name, some critics have suggested that these additions mean they are not playing real bluegrass, to which the band respond that their sound is:
". . . their own version of bluegrass music, mixing the acoustic stomp of a string band with the rule-breaking spirit of rock & roll.”
An enthusiastic review said:
“ . . . it's nice to see a band that relies more upon skill rather than the so familiar electricity we're all obsessed over. This show was like . . . a warm bubble bath in the great city of Atlantis . . .”
Greensky Bluegrass will be at the Town Ballroom on Thursday, January 12. Events like these are exciting, and organizers can promote them using poster printing.