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Tony Furtado

Equally adept on banjo, acoustic and slide guitar, and ukulele, Furtados virtuosic take on the American song book is a singular mix of original and traditional. A native of California who now makes his home in Portland, Oregon, Furtado took up the banjo at age 12, inspired by the Beverly Hillbillies. He won the National Bluegrass Banjo Championship twice, cut his teeth with Laurie Lewis & Grant Street, and signed a solo deal in 1990 with Rounder Records, resulting in six critically acclaimed albums for the label, collaborating with such master musicians as Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas, Tim OBrien, Kelly Joe Phelps, and Tony Trischka. Beginning in the late 1990sinfluenced by musical heroes Ry Cooder, David Lindley and Taj MahalTony added slide guitar, singing, and songwriting to his musical toolbox and began leading his own band. He especially values the opportunities he has had to tour with A-list artists Gregg Allman, David Lindley, Derek Trucks, Sonny Landreth, and the like. He has performed at such prestigious music festivals as Telluride Bluegrass, Thirsty Ear, High Sierra, Jazz Aspen, Kerrville, Strawberry, Winnipeg, Sisters and many others. His latest acclaimed release is Cider House Sessions.