How many virtuoso bluegrass musicians can fit into a single touring band? For The Jacob Joliff Band, the answer is quite a few.
The band is comprised of four of the most talented pickers and strummers, who play contemporary bluegrass/newgrass today. This supergroup includes Alex Hargreaves, the winner of The Grand Masters Fiddle Championship in 2009; eponymous front man, Jacob Jolliff, a mandolin prodigy and winner of the National Mandolin Championship in Winfield, Kansas in 2012. They are joined by bassist Myles Sloniker and guitarist Mike Robinson. This foot stomping, soul soaring ensemble is playing on Thursday, March 21 at Pearl Street Warehouse and on Friday, March 22 at B Chord Brewing in nearby Round Hill, Virginia.
Best known for his integral role in the Yonder Mountain String Band, Jolliff, a longtime fixture in the bluegrass community, has shared a stage with such luminaries as Sam Bush, Ronnie McCoury and Chris Thile. A mandolinist since age seven, he earned a full scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music.
“I’m super excited for the shows in DC and Virginia this weekend! I’ll have three absolutely incredible musicians with me—Alex Hargreaves on fiddle, Myles Sloniker on bass, and Mike Robinson on guitar! Each one of these cats is totally inspiring, and it’s my honor to get to perform with them. You can expect high energy bluegrass and balls to the walls modern mandolin music!” Jolliff told the Hill Rag.
Both venues will give viewers the rare opportunity to be within an arm’s reach of some of the best progressive bluegrass musicians playing today. In short, seeing The Jacob Jolliff band live this week is an opportunity that simply should not be missed!
