Bill Evans

Bill Evans is an internationally known five-string banjo life force. As a performer, teacher, writer, scholar and composer, he brings a deep knowledge, intense virtuosity and contagious passion to all things banjo, with thousands of music fans and banjo students from all over the world in a career that spans over thirty-five years. In Bill's solo concert presentation "The Banjo in America," he presents the music from his three chart topping CDs but also much more: Bill takes the listener on a musical adventure, following the banjo from its West African roots to the New World, performing musical examples from the 1700’s to the present day on vintage instruments. From an 18th century African dance tune to the music of the Civil War, and from early 20th century ragtime to folk and bluegrass banjo styles to Bill’s own incredible original music, "The Banjo in America" illuminates as well as entertains, exposing audiences to over 250 years of banjo music. Bill also performs with flatpicking guitar legend Dan Crary and singer-songwriter Steve Spurgin in the trio Crary, Evans & Spurgin. Look for them at a bluegrass or folk festival or concert series near you! Bill is the author of the best selling banjo instruction books "Banjo For Dummies," "Bluegrass Banjo For Dummies" and "Parking Lot Picker's Songbook: Banjo Edition." He also hosts six instructional DVD projects for AcuTab, Homespun and the Murphy Method. Bill has appeared on A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor and performed with the San Francisco Symphony. In addition, he has toured with acoustic luminaries David Grisman, Peter Rowan, John Reischman, and Tony Trischka, among many others. Bill’s annual California Banjo Extravaganza concerts have attracted sell out crowds in throughout northern California and received standing ovations. Bill’s 2012 CD "In Good Company" features over 26 musicians, including the Infamous Stringdusters, Tim O’Brien, and Joy Kills Sorrow performing Bill’s innovative compositions that blend jazz, classical, folk and world music influences. This release topped the Roots Music Report/Cashbox Folk and Bluegrass Charts and was named to many Best Of lists. You can learn more about Bill by visiting www.billevansbanjo.com. Watch video performances from The Banjo in America by linking to Bill’s YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/BillEvansBanjo A Fretboard Journal video: Bill Evans Tells The History of the Banjo in 14 Minutes: https://vimeo.com/52518992 What folks are saying about Bill Evans: “Bill Evans does for the five-string banjo what Van Gogh did for colour…treats it in a different way and then shares it with you. And his recent release ‘In Good Company’ is a virtuoso master class in exploring bluegrass from the tradition to the far edges of alternative.” Tom Franks, FolkWords “Not content to regurgitate a rehash of banjo clichés, Evans walks out on the limb and takes control of the entire tree.” Pete Kuykendall, Bluegrass Unlimited “It’s one thing to be a strong progressive banjo player, another to excel at the traditional end of the spectrum. To be able to add an indelible mark to the whole history of the instruments is getting ridiculous. High kudos to Bill Evans.” Tony Trischka “The banjoist has a world view shared by a precious few. It shows in the breadth of this own bluegrass playing and, especially, through his composing. Evans infuses his work with hints of jazz, classic and music of other realms, all fitting snuggly into his conception of the bluegrass sound.” –David Royko, The Chicago Tribune “One of the best banjo pickers on the planet.” Mark Wittington, San Jose Mercury News.