Bluegrass in Grand Targhee

First of all, let me say that this is some of the most beautiful country in the world.  The drive from Big Sky down to Grand Targhee passes west of Yellowstone Park and heads further west into Idaho, then south into the little village of Tetonia.  Tetonia rests in Teton Valley in the shadow of the spectacular Teton mountains.  This is the view to which I awoke this morning!!

We quickly moved bags and coolers into our room, then headed up to Grand Targhee Resort to listen to bluegrass.  This venue is a ski resort in the winter, but turns into a fabulous bluegrass amphitheater in the summer.  The stage sits at the bottom of the beginner ski run and hundreds of bluegrass lovers spread out blankets and set up camp chairs all over the hillside.

We have been to this festival many times before and heard some great groups.  In its 23rd year, Targhee has this year attracted some of the top bluegrass bands and performers and the first day was spectacular.

The afternoon started with Punch Brothers.  The leader of this group is Chris Thile, who started playing mandolin with his family band Nickel Creek at the age of 8.  When Chris was 12 he won the national mandolin championship and debuted his first solo album when he was 13.  Now, at the age of 29, he leads his own band of 5 playing mandolin and singing impressive lead vocals.  Most of the band have southern California roots, but they relocated to New York City a couple of years ago where they "hang out" at the Living Room on the Lower East Side when they are in town.


Collaboration practically defines bluegrass - musicians coming together to create new sounds and harmonies.  Chris Thile has collaborated with both Edgar Meyer and Béla Fleck - the big names on the schedule for Friday.  I had never heard either of these in concert and my intense anticipation of this performance definitely exceeded my expectations!!

These two musicians have collaborated for so many years.  I was aware of their work with Mark O'Conner, YoYo Ma and others.  I was not aware of their recent collaboration with Zakir Hussain, the amazing percussionist and virtuoso of the tabla.  Take a look at this video and realize that the only instrument being played is the tabla - I had to look at the other musicians to confirm that they were not playing.  Hussain uses every part of his hands to make these amazing sounds - almost a one-man band!

This summer, this trio launched its Melody of Rhythm Tour and Grand Targhee was fortunate to schedule them.  They finish in one week in Aspen.  This collaboration began in Nashville when Fleck and Meyer, both based in Nashville, were commissioned for a trio concerto.  They immediately chose the Indian tablist Zakir Hussain as the third musician, and it debuted in Nashville in 2007 with the Nashville Symphony with Leonard Slatkin conducting.


Here's an NPR clip of these three world class musicians.  They are simply indescribable - "beyond category" as Duke Ellington would say.  Béla Fleck, virtuoso banjo player, has earned Grammy nominations in more categories than any other musician in history including pop, country, bluegrass, jazz, classical, spoken-word, composition and arranging.  Edgar Meyer is a classically trained bassist who has won both the coveted Avery Fisher Prize, given once every few years to a classical instrumentalist and a MacArthur Fellowship, otherwise known as the "genius grant".  

What a wonderful treat to hear these three geniuses together - each with over 30 years of experience in which to hone their musical talent and sensitivity.  It's a wonderful collaboration and I will definitely be adding their CD to my list.

The collaboration continues today with the Mike Marshall Big Trio and the Sam Bush Band.  My greatest hope is that some of these guys will join Sam on stage tonight for a grand collaboration!!  Send good thoughts my way!