Event

Barn Dance! New England Bluegrass Band

The New England Bluegrass Band is recognized as one of the most talented bluegrass groups performing in the New England region today. The band consists of members who have reached the top levels of performance, including former Berklee School of Performing Arts alumni, regional and national picking champions, national and worldwide touring artists, centered around a powerful and traditional vocal array.

The band which in it's brief but storied history has been home to some of the finest bluegrass musicians in the U.S.. In addition to long time members Cecil Abels, Jon Ross, Dave Talmage and Amanda Kowalski,and , the band now welcomes banjo-vocalist Grace Van Hoft. The band has a varied background and experience, beginning with entertaining song stylist Abels who splits time between his boyhood home of Mississippi and New Hampshire. Mandolinist Jon Ross has long been a Seacoast Favorite and a "Musicians musician." Fiddler and Vocalist Dave Talmage (aka: Old Time Dave Talmage) known throughout New England and beyond as a genius of all kinds of Old Time Music, has been part of many great stringbands including The Mill City Ramblers. (Dave hosts the popular bluegrass open mic. at the Stone Church each Monday.Bass player Amanda Kowalski is an artist in all respects and the bass fiddle is not an exception, where she has played with such notable musicians as Bela Fleck, Uncle Earl and currently with the popular group: "Della Mae." Banjo player extraordinaire Grace Van Hoft not only tears of the 5 string banjo, but is a powerful vocalist as well and adds punch and drive to the bluegrass band sound. The band is joined from time to time by former New England Bluegrass Band members of years past and welcomes their participation.
Old Time Dave Talmage is a fine New England Barn Dance Caller in the tradition. He formally interned with New England's most noteworthy caller "Dudley Laughman" and has performed numerous dances throughout New England.