Chris Coole & Ivan Rosenberg on WTJU, Nov 8
Chris Coole and Ivan Rosenberg, the only clawhammer banjo and Dobro duo in the known universe, will stop by WTJU this Sunday afternoon, November 8. for a visit around 1 (est). Later that evening they will be at C’Ville Coffee in Charlottesville for a concert presented by The Prism Coffeehouse (details), and the following night at Ashland Coffee & Tea (details).
When Chris and Ivan hit the stage, people quiet down and truly listen.
Described as “a two-man folk festival,” they have the distinction of being the only clawhammer and Dobro duo act in the known universe, and they take advantage of the musical space that affords by creating spellbinding old time folk music unlike anyone else.
Coole and Rosenberg first took to the road in 2008, and they have since toured in British Columbia, Ontario, Oregon, California, and most of the northern states. 2010 marked the release of their debut CD, “Farewell Trion.” Along with the rest of the Foggy Hogtown Boys, Coole and Rosenberg also released “The Hogtown Sessions,” which debuted at #3 on the Folk DJ radio chart.
Coole is well-known for his virtuosic clawhammer banjo music as well as his guitar playing and singing with the award-winning bluegrass band The Foggy Hogtown Boys. His solo album “Old Dog” received glowing reviews; he was a finalist at the Clifftop banjo contest in 2004 and 2006; and his CDs with fellow Toronto banjoist Arnie Naiman are treasured by fans of old time banjo. Of late, Coole has also toured throughout North America as a sideman for folk music icon David Francey.
Rosenberg is known as one of the top Dobro players on the scene today. His original music has appeared in over 300 TV shows and films including The Daily Show, Oprah, and Deadwood. He earned an International Bluegrass Music Association award for co-writing the 2009 Song of the Year and played on the CD “Southern Filibuster: A Tribute to Tut Taylor” (produced by Grammy winner and Dobro legend Jerry Douglas). Rosenberg also recorded Pharis and Jason Romero’s award-winning albums “A Passing Glimpse” and “Long Gone Out West Blues,” and John Reischman’s 2013 release “Walk Along John.” In recent years, he has also performed with Chris Jones and the Night Drivers and the April Verch Bigger Band.
Both Coole and Rosenberg are in high demand for their instructional skills at acoustic music workshops around North America and beyond, having taught upwards of 80 weeks of music camp between them at events including: Steve Kaufman’s Acoustic Kamp, Sore Fingers Summer School (England), Midwest Banjo Camp, Walker Creek Music Camp, California Bluegrass Association Music Camp, British Columbia Bluegrass Workshop/Nimblefingers, 108 Cabin Fever Workshop, ResoSummit, Salt Spring Island Fiddleworks, Augusta Heritage, The Woods Music and Dance Camp, NBCMS Acoustic Music Workshop, Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, Grand Targhee Music Camp, NBCMS Acoustic Music Workshop, and many more.
Coole and Rosenberg released their ‘sequel’ album, “Return to Trion,” in September 2014.
Praise for “Farewell Trion”:
“Strong material, rich vocals, and highly accomplished musicianship place this project at the top of the list. The careful juxtaposition of the old and new brings a depth to the performances that only comes with a true knowledge of the genre.”
—Bluegrass Unlimited Highlight Review
“For a ‘two-man’ folk festival, you could look to Doc Watson and David Holt, or on the strength of their first album together, Chris Coole and Ivan Rosenberg…This is a well-chosen collection of old-time music expertly performed by a pair of very talented musicians.”
—Banjo Newsletter
