The California Bluegrass Reunion is an annual celebration of California’s rich bluegrass tradition, featuring an extraordinary lineup of musicians with deep California roots who have all made significant contributions to the genre. The Reunion brings together some of the finest talents in bluegrass, including Bill Evans (banjo), John Reischman (mandolin), Jim Nunally (guitar), Chad Manning (fiddle), Sharon Gilchrist (bass) and Mike Witcher (dobro). These musicians, all with deep California connections, have performed together in various combinations for decades.
Bill Evans has been involved with bluegrass music and the world of the banjo as a player, teacher, composer, writer and historian for over forty-five years. He is a recipient of the coveted Steve Martin Banjo Prize, is a member of the American Banjo Museum’s Hall of Fame and the author of “Banjo for Dummies.” He occupies a unique niche in the banjo world: celebrated worldwide for his traditional as well as progressive bluegrass banjo styles as well as his innovative original compositions, he also enjoys a reputation as an outstanding instructor as well as being an expert player of 19th century minstrel and classic banjo styles. Bill currently tours with his solo show The Banjo in America. In over twenty-seven years as a California-based performer, he has performed with David Grisman, Peter Rowan, Alan Munde, Jody Stecher, Eric & Suzy Thompson, David Bromberg, Tony Trischka, and Kathy Kallick among many others. For ten years, Bill hosted a monthly bluegrass residency at the Kensington Circus Pub with Jim Nunally and Chad Manning that drew fans from all over the world. He hosts five instructional courses for Peghead Nation. For more, visit billevansbanjo.com.
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” music scene of the Bay Area in the 1980s. A founding 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 Masters sense of tone, taste and musicality, has brought him a global reputation as one of the finest mandolinists of his era. John was a founding member of the California band The Good Ol’ Persons and he has led John Reischman & The Jaybirds for over twenty years. For more, visit johnreischman.com.
Chad Manning is a San Francisco Bay Are fiddler who has played with the David Grisman Quintet & Bluegrass Experience and Laurie Lewis. Over the years, he has shared the stage with J. D. Crowe, Curly Seckler, Alan Munde, and Tony Trischka, contributing his fiddle work to a wide variety of projects. Together with his wife Catherine, Chad runs Manning Music in Berkeley, California. The school serves over 250 students. Chad also teaches online courses from Peghead Nation. Chad’s current band, Charlie Torch, brings his family into his music. With his son Jasper on mandolin, daughter Jayna on guitar and vocals, and long-time friends Tyler Stegall and Mark Schatz, the group creates music that reflects their shared history and love for bluegrass and country traditions. For more info, visit chadmanning.com.
San Francisco Bay Area native Jim Nunally is a musician, composer, record producer and teacher – all in addition to being one of the finest guitar players in the world. His third-generation traditional music roots began in Arkansas with this guitar-playing grandfather who taught Jim’s father who in turn taught Jim. This pedigree contributes to his unmistakably traditional sound. For the last several years, Jim has co-led the Nell & Jim Band with Nell Robinson, performing a unique mix of original Americana sounds based around their outstanding duet singing and Jim’s arranging. Jim has performed with the David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, John Reischman & The Jaybirds, and Keith Little as well as leading the path-breaking California band Due West. For more info, visit jimnunally.com.
Sharon Gilchrist has long made her home in the American acoustic music scene. You may have seen her playing mandolin or upright bass, singing a traditional ballad, or performing an original piece on a concert or festival stage anywhere in North America. She has performed with the Peter Rowan and Tony Rice Quartet, Scott Nygaard and John Reischman, Darol Anger, Laurie Lewis, Scott Law and others. She earned a degree in Mandolin Performance from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, and has taught mandolin for 15 years both privately and online at Peghead Nation and at some of the nation’s finest music camps. Sharon currently resides in Nashville, TN after living for almost a decade in California. Learn more at sharongilchristmusic.com.
Resonator guitarist Mike Witcher has toured and recorded with the likes of Dolly Parton, Dwight Yoakam, Peter Rowan, Bette Midler, The Gibson Brothers, Sara Watkins, and Laurie Lewis. Known for his gorgeous tone and tasteful playing, Mike is also one of the most sought-after educators in the world of slide guitar.