Alison Brown & Banjo Basecamp Faculty Concert

Alison Brown and Banjo Basecamp Faculty: BB Bowness, Kristin Scott Benson, and Gena Britt play Studio 9. A star studded ensemble of the leading women of bluegrass banjo playing. Limited tickets available! Alison Brown: One of the most multi-faceted minds in roots music, Alison Brown is a GRAMMY-winning banjoist, producer and co-founder of the internationally acclaimed, Nashville-basedCompass Records Group.Although Alison began her musical career as a member of Alison Krauss andUnion Station, it is through her solo recordings and compositions that she has built a reputation as one of today’s most innovative banjo players. Sheis also a frequent collaborator with actor/comedian/musician Steve Martin with whom she has released 4 chart-topping singles. The pairare currently working on an album due for release in fall 2025. Alison was the first women to win the IBMA Banjo Player of the Year award; in 2019, shebecame thefirst femalefive-string banjo player to be inducted into the American Banjo Museum’s Hall of Fame.Alison is a recipient of the USA Artists Fellowship in Music and the Distinguished Achievement Awardfrom the International Bluegrass Music Association.In 2023 she launched an on-line banjo school with ArtistWorks. Alisonserves as President of the Nashville Chapter Board of the RecordingAcademy and as co-chair of the Steve Martin Banjo Prize. BB Bowness is the 2020 recipient of the Steve Martin Banjo Prize and the 2015winner of the FreshGrassBanjo contest.She was born in the small town of Marton, NewZealand, and grew up working and living in her family’s Fish-and-Chip shop. A world away from the heart of bluegrass, BB spent much of her childhood teaching herself the banjo, and through dedication and tenacity became New Zealand School of Music’s first banjo student.Simultaneously immersed in the traditions of bluegrass and the University’s jazz program, BB developed a unique style that synthe sizes new and old ideas. Banjo great Tony Trisch kadescribesher sound as ‘JD Crowe co-mingled with the future.”BB is an in-demand instructor and tours with Mile Twelve, the New England-based bluegrass band she founded in 2012. Mile Twelve has received multipleInternational Bluegrass Music Association awards including New Artist of the Year and the Momentum Band of the Year. Kristin Scott Benson is the six-time International Bluegrass Music Association’sBanjo Player of the Year, recipient of the 2018 Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo andBluegrass, and 2024 inductee into the American Banjo Hall ofFame. Since 2008, she has been a member of The Grascals, performing over 200 times on the Grand Ole Opry. Her latest recording effort with Mountain Home Records is joint venture with husband, Wayne, entitled Benson. Kristin is also a world-renowned teacher. In addition to private lessons, she has taught at Bela Fleck’s esteemed Blue Ridge Banjo Camp since its inception, as well as many other bluegrass and banjo camps all over the country. Gena Britt is an award-winning banjo player, vocalist, and founding member of Sister Sadie. Originally from North Carolina, Gena has spent decades performing and recording with some of the finest artists in bluegrass, including Lou Reid & Carolina, Grasstowne, New Vintage, and Petticoat Junction.Gena is a recipient of eight IBMA Awards, including the coveted Vocal Group & Entertainer of the Year Awards. Gena has also earned multiple nominations for IBMA Banjo Player of the Year and two GRAMMY nominations for Best Bluegrass Album as a member of Sister Sadie. Known for her distinctive banjo style, versatility, and deep musicality, she is also a sought-after studio musician and vocalist who has shared the stage and recording studio with some of the biggest names in bluegrass and country music.Gena currently tours with Sister Sadie, performs regularly on the Grand Ole Opry, and continuesto build a career rooted in a deep love for bluegrass and a lifelong dedication to the banjo.