Lonesome Ace Stringband

The Lonesome Ace Stringband is an old-time band with bluegrass credentials playing some righteous Americana music. There's a depth of groove and sense of space not often heard in bluegrass today, a level of instrumental interplay uncommon in old-time, and an on-stage rapport that transcends all of this.

Three Canadians lost in the weird and wonderful traditional country music of the American South, the band members Chris Coole (banjo), John Showman (fiddle), and Max Malone (bass) are each journeyman musicians and veterans of some of Canada's top roots music acts (New Country Rehab, The David Francey Band, The Foggy Hogtown Boys, Fiver).

Instrumentation alone instantly sets LAS's sound apart: consisting of just fiddle, clawhammer banjo, and upright bass. The band moves freely between having a sound so powerful that it doesn't seem like it should be coming from a trio, to a sparseness and fragility that draws the listener in and refreshes the ear. All three are compelling lead singers, each with his own character and range. This allows for the vocal texture to shift depending on how the song needs to feel—and what the song has to say. When those voices come together the power of the harmonies is unshakable. It's clear to anyone who's heard LAS that they just don't sound like any other band.

John Reischman

Grammy Award-winning musician John Reischman has been a foundational mandolinist, composer, bandleader, and musical educator in bluegrass and North American roots and folk music since emerging from the vibrant “new acoustic” bluegrass music scene of the Bay Area in the 1980s. A member of the groundbreaking Tony Rice Unit, Reischman’s mastery of bluegrass, old-time, swing, and multiple Latin American musical styles, coupled with an old master’s sense of tone, taste, and musicality, has brought him a global reputation as one of the finest mandolinists of his era.

His latest CD, New Time & Old Acoustic on Corvus Records, blends a lifetime of musical influences into an engaging recording with some of today’s top acoustic players including flatpicking guitarists Molly Tuttle and Chris Eldridge, fiddler Alex Hargreaves, and bassist Todd Phillips. The 14-track album includes 12 new Reischman originals and a reinterpretation of his classic tune “Salt Spring.” New Time & Old Acoustic is the most mature, accomplished solo recording of Reischman’s storied career.

New Time & Old Acoustic was recently nominated for a Juno Award and a Canadian Folk Music Award.

Never Come Down

Weaving together modern and traditional styles of bluegrass and americana, Never Come Down is a Portland, Oregon, based 5-piece band composed of Joe Suskind (guitar), Crystal Lariza (vocals), Lillian Sawyer (fiddle), Kaden Hurst (mandolin), and Matthew Holmes (bass). Their dedication to thoughtful songwriting and dynamic arrangements highlight polished technical skills and a commitment to listening to each other. Formed in 2018, the band released their self-titled debut that year and their second album Better Late Than Never followed in 2021. They’ve toured internationally and have found acclaim at festivals and venues such as Iceland Airwaves, John Hartford Memorial Fest, Americanafest, FreshGrass, and RockyGrass.

Eli West

It’s always illuminating to ask an artist how they understand music, but Eli West’s perspective is nothing short of ground-breaking.

A trained designer, he sees music architecturally, visualizing his compositions spatially. It’s a highly unusual way to think about music, tied to his verdant natural world of the Pacific Northwest. On his new album, Tapered Point of Stone, West lays out original songs and tunes like houses built by hand, weaving their melodies into the setting of acoustic roots music that first inspired him. Recorded in 2020, just before everything shut down, the album brings together West’s favoured quartet of musicians: Andrew Marlin (Watchhouse) on mandolin and guitar, Christian Sedelmeyer (Jerry Douglas) on fiddle, himself on mandolin, guitar, and banjo, and Clint Mullican (Watchhouse) on bass.

This is the 3rd album this quartet has built, including solo albums for Marlin and Sedelmeyer, and at this point they operate on a near-magical wavelength.

As both a noted arranger, songwriter, performer, and composer, West has been crafting a Northwest-centric roots music aesthetic through earlier collaborations with Cahalen Morrison and John Reischman, and recordings with Bill Frisell and Dori Freeman. Tapered Point of Stone showcases West’s collaborative nature.

Golden Shoals

Golden Shoals is a fiddle and guitar duo with a "rousing old-time-style music that’s fueled by acerbic modern-day wit” (-No Depression Magazine). They are no strangers to traditional music, having placed in contests including Clifftop (3rd place 2023, 4th place 2022), Mount Airy, The Grand Masters Fiddlers Championship and Galax. Often switching instruments between fiddle, two guitars, and banjo, their original songs have been compared to Gillian Welch, with the added edge of instrumental prowess informed by energetic old-time and bluegrass recordings.

Initially brought together by a mutual love of American folk music, Golden Shoals' sound has expanded to include country, Americana, indie and experimental influences, allowing them to move more freely beyond genre boundaries with their songwriting while still emanating a deep understanding of old-time and bluegrass music. Ever inspired by the enduring spirit of traditional Appalachian mountain music, their songwriting comes across as simple, honest, and fresh to the ears. The listener can expect the polished technique of conservatory training, in tandem with the grit, drive, and soul of musicians like Roscoe Holcomb or Ola Belle Reed.

The Tone Rangers

Saddle up and join The Tone Rangers, a ragtag band of troubadours whose songs echo across the vast plains and dusty trails. From campfire ballads to saloon showdowns, this eclectic posse serenades the frontier with tales of adventure, heartache, and redemption.

Copper Island Bluegrass Collective

As is our annual tradition, the NimbleFingers Festival presents our secret weapon, an all-star band comprised of musicians from the varied bands presented on the festival day. Lead by our workshop program director, band leader Steve Roy never fails to disappoint with whatever rabbit he pulls out his hat.