As I write this I am in Raleigh, North Carolina at the IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) World Of Bluegrass. Tonight is the IBMA awards show where album, songs, entertainers, etc of the year are announced. This is always a fun event with performances of some of the biggest names in bluegrass. These awards include an award for each individual bluegrass instrumentalist of the year (banjo, guitar, fiddle, mandolin, bass, dobro). These nominees were announced about a month ago and today we'd like to introduce you to each of them.
Deering banjo artist, Kristin Scott Benson is a six-time IBMA Banjo Player of the Year and a prominent figure in bluegrass, with her contributions extending beyond her outstanding musicianship. A long-standing member of the Grammy-nominated band The Grascals, Kristin has become a symbol of traditional bluegrass banjo playing, blending precision, tone, and timing in her craft. Her work with The Grascals has helped define their sound as one of bluegrass's most celebrated bands, and she’s played alongside them on major platforms like The Grand Ole Opry and late-night TV shows.
Kristin’s collaborative 2023 album Pick Your Poison, recorded under the artist name Benson alongside her husband, mandolinist Wayne Benson, showcases a unique blend of banjo and mandolin that emphasizes both players' expertise. The project is a testament to her dynamic playing and highlights her versatility within the bluegrass genre. It’s also a milestone in her career, marking a creative union between two of bluegrass music's top instrumentalists.
Kristin is also a highly respected banjo instructor known for her clear, methodical teaching style, helping students of all levels master the fundamentals and intricacies of bluegrass banjo. She regularly offers private lessons, workshops, and instructional materials, sharing her expertise and passion for the instrument with aspiring players around the world.
Benson plays a very special custom Deering banjo that came about after trying a number of different Deering banjos and is an amalgamation of all the different models in Deering's Golden Series; the Golden Wreath, Golden Era, and Rustic Wreath.
Gena Britt has long been a powerful force in the bluegrass scene, renowned for her high-energy banjo playing and soulful vocals. Raised in North Carolina, Gena was captivated by bluegrass at an early age, and her love for the music has fueled a highly respected career. As a member of notable bands like Petticoat Junction, New Vintage, and Lou Reid & Carolina, she honed her skills and earned a reputation as a top-tier musician. Her versatility has allowed her to excel not only on the banjo but also on acoustic bass, making her a sought-after talent in the bluegrass community.
A founding member of the all-female supergroup Sister Sadie, Gena has helped push the boundaries of bluegrass music. The group’s blend of traditional and progressive bluegrass earned them a Grammy nomination and numerous IBMA awards, including Entertainer of the Year in 2020. Sister Sadie’s groundbreaking success continues to solidify Gena's place as one of the most influential musicians in modern bluegrass.
In addition to her work with Sister Sadie, Gena released the solo album Chronicle: Friends & Music in 2019, showcasing collaborations with some of her closest musical partners. Her banjo work is admired for its precision and drive, while her vocals bring emotional depth to her performances. With a career spanning decades and multiple IBMA and SPBGMA awards to her name, Gena Britt remains a beloved figure in bluegrass, inspiring both her peers and the next generation of musicians.
Alison Brown stands as one of the most innovative banjo players in modern acoustic music, fusing bluegrass with jazz and pushing the banjo beyond its traditional boundaries. A Harvard graduate with an MBA from UCLA, Alison took an unconventional route to bluegrass stardom. After working briefly in investment banking, she returned to her musical roots, joining Alison Krauss & Union Station before forming the Alison Brown Quartet in 1993. Her signature sound blends the drive of bluegrass with jazz’s harmonic complexity, earning her a Grammy Award and multiple nominations.
With 12 critically acclaimed albums under her belt, Alison’s influence extends far beyond her recordings. She has performed at prestigious venues worldwide, including the Kennedy Center and the Newport Folk Festival, and her genre-bending approach has opened new possibilities for the banjo. Alison’s music transcends traditional expectations, making her a trailblazer in both the bluegrass and jazz worlds.
Beyond her success as a performer, Alison is also a key figure in the business side of roots music. As co-founder of Compass Records Group, she has helped build one of the most respected independent record labels in the industry, supporting countless artists across various roots music genres. Her leadership in the music community includes serving on the board of the Recording Academy and co-chairing the Steve Martin Banjo Prize, further showcasing her commitment to nurturing talent and fostering innovation.
Alison's contributions to the bluegrass world go far beyond her achievements as a musician. She has become a voice of progress within the genre, pushing the boundaries of what the banjo can accomplish while simultaneously supporting the broader roots music community through her label and her advocacy. Her work continues to inspire countless musicians to explore new creative possibilities.
One of the banjos Alison plays is the Deeering Julia Belle banjo, co-designed with Jamie Deering. This model was created to give players a banjo that is designed to shine when played in lower tunings such as E or D, though this banjo still sounds wonderful when played in standard G tuning. The result is an absolutely gorgeous and unique instrument that reaches across time and generations for its inspiration.
Béla Fleck is widely regarded as one of the most versatile and boundary-pushing banjo players of all time. His career has spanned bluegrass, jazz, classical, world music, and beyond, earning him 18 Grammy Awards across multiple genres. From his early years as a bluegrass prodigy to his groundbreaking work with the Flecktones, Béla has continually redefined what the banjo can do, blending traditional technique with innovative improvisation and complex musical structures.
Béla's collaborations with a wide range of artists have further solidified his reputation as a genre-defying musician. His duo work with jazz legend Chick Corea, particularly on albums like The Enchantment and the posthumously released Remembrance, showcased the profound creative bond between the two artists. Their performances, both live and recorded, revealed Béla’s deep connection to jazz and his ability to seamlessly blend banjo with the intricate harmonies of Corea’s piano compositions. This partnership, in many ways, marked a high point in Béla’s already illustrious career, underscoring his ability to transcend musical boundaries.
Béla has also maintained strong roots in bluegrass, revisiting the genre with projects like My Bluegrass Heart, which won the 2022 Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album. His return to the bluegrass world with this project highlighted his enduring love for the music and his commitment to expanding its horizons. From collaborations with artists like Chris Thile and Edgar Meyer to pushing the envelope with his own compositions, Béla remains a towering figure in both bluegrass and the broader music world.
At his core, Béla Fleck is a musical explorer. His willingness to push the limits of what the banjo can achieve has left an indelible mark on countless genres, and his continued pursuit of new sonic territories ensures that his influence will be felt for generations to come.
Bela has been a longtime Deering banjo player, owning a number of Deering banjos including a Deering John Hartford banjo, Deering Julia Belle banjo, and a Deering Tenbrooks Saratoga Star which he used primarily during the filming of his documentary, Throw Down Your Heart, when he brought the banjo back to its roots in Africa. He is most famously known for his use of the solid body electric Deering banjo the Deering Crossfire which he uses when he plays with the Flecktones.
Rob McCoury, the son of legendary bluegrass musician Del McCoury, has carved out his own legacy as one of the top banjo players in the genre. Born into a family deeply immersed in bluegrass, Rob’s early exposure to the music was inevitable, and by the time he was a teenager, he was performing alongside his father. His banjo playing, marked by a traditional yet vibrant style, became a defining feature of the Del McCoury Band’s sound, helping the group win multiple Grammy Awards and IBMA Entertainer of the Year honors.
Rob’s deep understanding of traditional bluegrass banjo, combined with his impeccable timing and tone, has earned him widespread respect from fans and peers alike. His ability to support and enhance his father’s iconic vocals and the band’s overall sound has been instrumental in the Del McCoury Band’s enduring success.
Throughout his career, Rob has stayed true to the traditional bluegrass sound while also pushing the genre forward, making him a cornerstone of modern bluegrass music. Rob also owns a Deering Crossfire banjo.
As the IBMA Awards celebrate the top talents in bluegrass music, it's clear that the banjo remains central to the genre’s enduring legacy. Each of the nominees for Banjo Player of the Year brings their own unique style and influence, from Kristin Scott Benson's precise traditionalism to Béla Fleck's genre-defying creativity. These musicians continue to inspire new generations of bluegrass fans and players, proving that while the banjo’s roots run deep, its potential is boundless. As we look forward to tonight’s awards, we celebrate not only the past achievements of these incredible artists but also the future they’re helping to shape for bluegrass music.
3733 Kenora Dr.
Spring Valley, CA 91977
COMMENTS