The popular Shane Center Presents series winds up 2024 with a show featuring International Bluegrass Music Association’s “Momentum Band of the Year” – Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band. This outstanding young band (none are old enough to rent a car) channels their own unique mix of bluegrass, David Grisman (Dawg), jazz and modern original tunes. The show is set for Saturday, September 7th. Music begins at 7pm.
Brothers Miles and Teo Quale are joined by bassist Andrew Osborn and 2023 National Flat Pick Guitar Champion Ian Ly, all outstanding young musicians of the vibrant California bluegrass scene. Founded in 2016 as a duo band, Miles and Teo formed the bluegrass band in 2017 and since then, they have continued to make waves in the world of bluegrass and acoustic music. The bluegrass band was the recipient of the 2023 International Bluegrass Music Association’s “Momentum Band of the Year” award. The band was also honored to perform for the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame’s induction of their hero, David Grisman.
Based in Northern California, Crying Uncle Bluegrass has opened for prestigious bands, including Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives and David Grisman Bluegrass Experience. The band has played at venues such as IBMA’s World of Bluegrass Festival, CBA’s Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival, Strawberry Music Festival, SF’s Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Delfest and Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival. Internationally, the band toured Japan in 2023, and in 2022, they headlined at Bluegrass in La Roche, France. In 2019, they toured throughout Finland, culminating at Kaustinen Folk Music Festival. Miles was also a proud recipient of the Whippoorwill Arts Fellowship in 2022.
“Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band will blow your mind,” said Russell Lewis, Shane Center’s Artistic Director. “To see this skill from four individuals is one thing, when they combine, it’s unlike any band touring today. We’re delighted to round out our season with these young, brilliant performers. We know they’re going to inspire a lot of young local musicians.”
The band released their eponymous album, Crying Uncle, in 2018. And in 2020, they released their sophomore album, Monroe Bridge, which features guest artists including fiddler Chad Manning and mandolinist Sharon Gilchrist and was produced by banjoist Keith Little. In 2021, the bluegrass band came out with an EP of mostly self-written tunes, Till I Dance Again with You, inspired by a year of “isolating” during the pandemic. Most recently, they released their newest album, The Thing of Dreams (2022), which highlights their originals.
Advance tickets are available at www.theshanecenter.org. General admission is $30 for adults with senior and youth discounts available. Doors at 6:30pm. •
