Three Finger Banjo Blue Grass Monday Night Guest Artist Steve Martin

August 09, 2010

Three Finger Banjo Blue Grass Monday Night Guest Artist Steve Martin

Haven't had a music night in a while, but tonight I believe I've found just the thing.

Steve Martin plays the banjo and wins awards, photo by Todd Heisler for The New York Times

On just about any given night of the year, cold or cool, warm or hot, sometime after 10pm, we could walk outside or open a window and hear the sweet banjo and fiddle bluegrass songs played on the balcony of a quadro-plex across the street and two houses down. Always a sweet sound. Perfect for those nights when you just couldn't get to sleep. All would be still and the music would come. Those were the nights I had the best sleep. It's been about a year now since their Blue Grass wafted through the air, bringing smiles to everyone within earshot; they've since moved away.

One of my favourite sounds is that of Blue Grass, a style that grew out of the 1940s and 50s. Steve Martin grew up with that sound in his home-town of Berkeley California. He fell in love with the Banjo, especially the sound of the three finger banjo. And much like everything else he set his mind out to do, he learned to play it, and play it he does, touring with his Blue Grass band, The Steep Canyon Rangers, at one point it was with Men With Banjos Who Know How to Use Them, which they certainly did, and there are other Blue Grass bands he plays with I'm sure (I have to say I'm not very read up on his tours and play dates over the last few years).

There's something so relaxing about Blue Grass. Sure it speaks to some more than others, but overall, it's hard for one's heart's spirits to not to be lifted when Blue Grass is played. It's also a rush when that banjo plays faster and faster, showing off for the folks, now and again.

Without further ado, I present to you, this evening, Steve Martin and his Blue Grass band, The Steep Canyon Rangers and others,... Enjoy.