Join us for an eclectic musical feast hosted by two giants of American acoustic music. We might hear old-time, boogie-woogie, folk ballads... anything and everything, the sky’s the limit! Guaranteed fun.

Mark Schatz and Bryan McDowell are two of the most versatile and respected players in today’s American acoustic music scene. They bring their different generations and backgrounds together in an unparalleled synergy, humor, beauty, and ease, taking the listener on a delightful, toe tapping journey through a landscape of fiddle and banjo tunes, songs, lilting waltzes, and searing guitar solos.

Mark Schatz is a prominent figure in the contemporary acoustic music world who has recorded and toured with Bela Fleck, Tony Rice, Tim O’Brien, Nickel Creek, John Hartford, The Claire Lynch Band, and Sarah Jarosz. Though best known for his work on acoustic bass, Mark has released two of his own solo recordings on Rounder Records which feature his original compositions and clawhammer banjo playing. He is the Musical Director for the acclaimed dance troupe Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble.

Bryan McDowell grew up in a rich musical environment in western North Carolina, where he learned everything from Doc Watson to Charlie Parker. His extraordinary facility on several instruments, his sure, sweet tenor voice, and his stylistic versatility have made him a much sought after sideman, landing him tours with the likes of Molly Tuttle, Mountain Heart, Sierra Hull, and a long stint with The Claire Lynch Band.

The two began collaborating in January 2020, building on the personal and musical rapport they’d built while touring together with the Claire Lynch Band. They recorded a duo CD, Grit and Polish, in Mark’s basement recording studio. Most of the tracks are live takes, which gives the recording an intimate, spontaneous feel. Hitting #1 on the Folks DJ Charts in 2021, Grit and Polish presents a striking and colorful range of traditionally oriented music, ranging from traditional fiddle tunes and ballads, a Bob Dylan song, and a Louis Jordan boogie-woogie number to an Eastern European folk song on bowed bass and bluesy renderings on fretless banjo.