“Like James Taylor’s voice or B.B. King’s guitar, Alison Brown’s banjo is an instrument possessed of a unique sonic signature and an inescapable beauty.”
— Billboard Magazine
Alison Brown & Steve Martin
My new banjo forward collaboration with the inimitable Steve Martin - Safe Sensible and Sane - is out now. The album features a set of original songs and tunes and includes appearances from some of our favorite musical compadres including Jackson Browne, Della Mae, Vince Gill, Indigo Girls, Jason Mraz, Tim O’Brien and Aoife O’Donovan.
Banjo Basecamp
Calling all banjo players! The dates for this year’s Banjo Basecamp are Oct 5-9. We’ll be back at The Porches in North Adams, MA. Two of my favorite players are joining me again as co-instructors: Kristin Scott Benson and BB Bowness. Last year was fantastic; this year promises to be even better. Come up your banjo game in a nurturing and exclusive environment in the Berkshires at the peak of fall foliage season! Click on the button below to register.
Tour
Simple Pleasures
I’m very excited that Compass Records has reissued my debut solo album Simple Pleasures. Originally released in 1990, it was produced by David Grisman and features Alison Krauss (fiddle), Mike Marshall (guitar, mandolin, fiddle), Matt Eakle (flute) and more. Digging into the tracks and revisiting these tunes was like finding a time capsule! The reissue was lovingly remixed and remastered and is available on limited edition vinyl, CD and DL. We also included the original demo versions, produced by Richard Greene, on the CD and DL versions. The banjo TAB for all of the tracks is available too. I hope you’ll check it out.
On Banjo
On her 2023 album, aptly titled ON BANJO, Alison explores all the corners of the banjo’s potential on a set of predominantly original tunes. Featured guests include Anat Cohen, Stuart Duncan, Sierra Hull, Sharon Isbin, Kronos Quartet and Steve Martin.
Alison Brown doesn't play the banjo.
Alison Brown plays music on the banjo.
She’s acclaimed as one of today’s finest progressive banjo players, but you rarely find her in a conventional bluegrass setting. Instead, she’s known for leading an ensemble that successfully marries a broad array of roots-influenced music: folk, jazz, Celtic and Latin.
ArtistWorks
If you’re interested in learning to play the banjo or improving your chops, please check out my ArtistWorks on line school. There are over 150 lessons that range beginning through advanced levels with a special focus on tips and techniques for beginning and intermediate level players. I hope to see you on line! Click here to get started.