Last updated: 6 hours ago
Renowned clawhammer banjo player Brad Kolodner’s latest solo album, Old Growth, is a meditative exploration of the fretless gourd banjo. Featuring sixteen instrumentals ranging from high-energy breakdowns to slow-burning soundscapes, Old Growth showcases Kolodner’s deep reverence for the roots of American traditional music and his continued evolution as an artist.
Old Growth is a testament to Kolodner’s connection to this unique instrument and his commitment to preserving and reimagining its legacy. The collection blends traditional Old Time pieces with original compositions and select recently-composed pieces by fellow Roots musicians, creating a rich, textured experience for listeners that is both grounded and exploratory.
Kolodner’s journey with the gourd banjo began 15 years ago in Ithaca, New York. As an undergraduate at Ithaca College and a budding banjoist, he encountered a curious, earthy-sounding banjo-like instrument in a local acoustic shop — a gourd banjo with a warm, organic tone and a fretless neck. “It smelled like fresh soil,” Kolodner recalls. “I was instantly hooked.”
With Old Growth, Kolodner invites listeners into the quiet, resonant world of the gourd banjo — an instrument that speaks volumes in its simplicity and soul. “I hope this recording brings you the same sense of delight and wonder I feel every time I reach for my gourd banjo,” says Kolodner.
Old Growth is a testament to Kolodner’s connection to this unique instrument and his commitment to preserving and reimagining its legacy. The collection blends traditional Old Time pieces with original compositions and select recently-composed pieces by fellow Roots musicians, creating a rich, textured experience for listeners that is both grounded and exploratory.
Kolodner’s journey with the gourd banjo began 15 years ago in Ithaca, New York. As an undergraduate at Ithaca College and a budding banjoist, he encountered a curious, earthy-sounding banjo-like instrument in a local acoustic shop — a gourd banjo with a warm, organic tone and a fretless neck. “It smelled like fresh soil,” Kolodner recalls. “I was instantly hooked.”
With Old Growth, Kolodner invites listeners into the quiet, resonant world of the gourd banjo — an instrument that speaks volumes in its simplicity and soul. “I hope this recording brings you the same sense of delight and wonder I feel every time I reach for my gourd banjo,” says Kolodner.
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