Top Local Bluegrass Bands In Philadelphia
Philadelphia may be best known for raising musicians The Roots, Pink and the Disco Biscuits in lieu of Earl Scruggs and Lester Flatt, but that doesn't mean the bluegrass scene isn't alive and well here, especially in our genre-varied local scene. Read on to discover a few bands currently pickin' and grinnin' all over the Philadelphia area.
Boulevard Express
Philadelphia, PA
www.boulevardexpress.net
Boulevard Express plays traditional bluegrass music influenced by famous old-time pickers like Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, Lester Flatt and the Stanley Brothers. The band met at Philadelphia's Holmesburg Bluegrass Jam and has been playing together since 2009. The group features three-part harmonies and traditional bluegrass instruments, including the guitar, fiddle, mandolin, upright bass and banjo. Boulevard Express has one album under its belt, "Come Outside," and is busy working on a second. You can catch the band at numerous bluegrass festivals throughout the year.
Citywide Specials
Philadelphia, PA
myspace.com/citywidespecialstheband
Above the Ethiopian restaurant Abyssinia lies one of West Philadelphia's best-kept secrets. The sign-less bar Fiume gives little knowledge that it is there, but on Thursday nights, the Citywide Specials' energetic bluegrass music wafts down into the street from the upstairs window. The band, which is named after Philadelphia's popular shot and beer special, has been playing weekly at Fiume for 14 years. With the use of bluegrass instruments like guitar, dobro, mandolin, fiddle and string bass, the group plays old-traditional country and bluegrass tunes, as well as originals written by the bar's owner, Kevin James Holland.
The DePue Brothers
Philadelphia, PA
www.depuebrothersband.com
The DePue Brothers features four brothers who play the violin (Wallace, Alex, Jason and Zachary) along with Mark Cosgrove on guitar, Mike Munford on banjo (who recently was nominated for a Grammy) and Kevin MacConnell on bass. The group self-describes its genre as "Grassical," or a combination of both American grass-roots and classical music. The brothers have been playing as a family group for more than 25 years and, in fact, were awarded the presidential decree "American Musical Family of the Year" by President George H. Bush Sr. in 1989.
The Jersey Corn Pickers
Philadelphia, PA
www.jerseycornpickers.com
The Jersey Corn Pickers are a bluegrass and American band that performs in the Philly area. The group can be seen at venues around the city like Bourbon and Branch, Fergie's Pub, World Café Live, The Twisted Tail and Underground Arts. So far, two albums have been released and both can be heard here. The band came together after playing frequently at bluegrass festivals. The Jersey Corn Pickers' sound is an eclectic mix of Americana, including folk, country, traditional bluegrass, old time, rock and blues.
Sparkle Pony
Philadelphia, PA
www.sparkleponyband.com
Sparkle Pony is a newgrass band based in Philadelphia featuring Lewin Barringer on guitar/vocals, Valentina Raffaelli on vocals/accordion, Elizabeth Carey on violin/vocals and Gordon Emma on upright bass/vocals. Although formed last year, the band is already making waves on the music scene. The group plans on releasing one new single a month and already plays a few times a month at festivals and bars including Fergie's Pub and Southern Cross Kitchen in Conshohocken. The band is led mainly by Barringer's soft vocals and acoustic guitar, with sweet harmonies sung by Raffaelli and Carey.
Kelly Neilson is a freelance writer living and working in Philadelphia. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
