Tony Trischka Joins Steve Martin at Portland Ovation's Bluegrass Concert at Merrill Auditorium, 5/18

Portland Ovations is pleased to announce that Tony Trischka & Territory have been added to the May 18th concert featuring Steve Martin with Steep Canyon Rangers. The evening opens with this special appearance by Tony Trischka and his stellar four-piece band followed by the award-winning Steve Martin performing with the Steep Canyon Rangers.

Tony Trischka is perhaps the most influential banjo player in the roots music world. For more than 35 years, his stylings have inspired a whole generation of bluegrass and acoustic musicians. He was not only considered among the very best pickers, he was also one of the instrument's top teachers.

As part of his Portland Ovations appearance he will visit with music students and teachers at 317 Maine St. Community Music Center in Yarmouth. More details to come.

Trischka's music career began in 1978 playing with artists such as Peter Rowan, Richard Greene, and Stacy Phillips. Trischka has recorded more than 30 of his own albums and appeared on numerous others including projects with Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen, Natalie Merchant and Jay Ungar among others. His Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular featured the appearance of luminaries such as his former student Bela Fleck, Steve Martin, and Earl Scruggs -- garnering an IBMA awards for Recorded Event of the Year, Instrumental Album of the Year and a Grammy Nomination.

With his fearless musical curiosity as the guiding force, Trischka's latest critically acclaimed release, Territory roams widely through the banjo's creative terrain and features cuts with fellow banjoists Pete Seeger, Mike Seeger, Bill Evans, Bill Keith, and Bruce Molsky.

Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers are coming to Merrill Auditorium on May 18th for an evening of bluegrass and banjo.

The legendary Steve Martin is a true renaissance man. Aside from starring in and/or writing and producing some of the most popular movies of recent film history, including The Man With Two Brains; Roxanne; Dirty Rotten Scoundrels; L.A. Story; Father of the Bride; Little Shop of Horrors; Planes, Trains and Automobiles; The Pink Panther; Parenthood; Shopgirl, and Cheaper by the Dozen, Martin has written successful children's books, plays, novels and an autobiography. Martin is also known for his collection of fine art and his excellent skills on the five-string banjo.

Now the actor, comedian, novelist, playwright, and musician teams up with the accomplished bluegrass quintet, Steep Canyon Rangers. Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers first played together in 2009, including a memorable performance on NPR's A Prairie Home Companion, garnering praise from fans and critics alike. The popularity of their joint live performances has resulted in a new album, Rare Bird Alert, due out March 15th. Rare Bird Alert is Martin's second bluegrass album. His first, The Crow/New Songs For The Five-String Banjo, won a 2010 Grammy for best bluegrass album.

The Steep Canyon Rangers are a classic five-man string band comprised of a guitar, fiddle, upright bass, banjo and mandolin. Martin adds a second banjo and additional vocals making for a unique and exciting sound.

Tickets to An Evening of Bluegrass and Banjo at Merrill Auditorium are priced at $41 to $59 for Portland Ovations' Members and Subscribers. Members and Subscribers can purchase tickets by calling PortTix at 207-842-0800 or visiting the box office window at Merrill Auditorium.

Tickets to the general public are $45 to $65 and are available by calling or visiting PortTix, as well as online at www.portlandovations.org.

ABOUT PORTLAND OVATIONS

Each year since 1931, Portland Ovations brings a dynamic season of exceptional performing artists from around the world to Maine including classical music, jazz, opera, dance, theater, and Broadway national tours. In addition to live performances, Ovations brings the exhilaration of the performing arts out into our community with season-long educational and outreach activities known as Ovations Offstage. A Maine-based non-profit, Portland Ovations contributes to the cultural, social and economic well-being of our community by presenting an array of high quality performing artists from around the world and creating diverse educational experiences that bring the enjoyment, energy and enrichment of the arts to all.

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