Giants of the fiddle world coming to Barnoldswick
It promises to be a special evening showcasing two veterans of the fiddle world.
Two giants of the fiddle world whose music has helped reshape the language of roots, old-time, bluegrass, jazz, Celtic and contemporary string music across more than six decades of combined influence are coming to Barnoldswick.
Darol Anger & Bruce Molsky, who’ll perform in Barnoldswick on Saturday, October 17th, have a shared history that includes the Grammy-nominated Fiddlers 4, alongside Cajun master Michael Doucet and cellist Rushad Eggleston, a project described as a collaboration between "three innovative fiddlers" and a young cello voice, blending old-time, Cajun, jazz and world-rooted string music into something fearless and alive.
Anger has built a reputation as one of the true architects of modern fiddle playing. From his early work as a founding force in the David Grisman Quintet, through the groundbreaking Turtle Island String Quartet, Psychograss, Republic of Strings, The Duo with Mike Marshall, and his current work with Mr Sun. Anger has spent a lifetime proving that the fiddle can sit anywhere: bluegrass, chamber jazz, folk, classical, improvisation, film music and beyond.
His list of collaborators ranges from Béla Fleck, Tony Rice, Stéphane Grappelli, Bill Frisell, Edgar Meyer, Tim O'Brien, Mark O'Connor, Marin Alsop, David Grisman and Mike Marshall, to name a few. He is also Professor Emeritus at Berklee College of Music, runs an online fiddle school, and has taught generations of players across major camps and institutions.
Molsky, meanwhile, is one of the most respected carriers of American old-time music in the world. A master of fiddle, banjo, guitar and song, Molsky has a rare ability to make ancient tunes feel immediate, personal and alive.
His reach extends beyond the realms of the old-time world. He has appeared on Mark Knopfler's album Tracker, collaborated with the vocal ensemble Anonymous 4 on 1865: Songs of Hope & Home, worked with Jerry Douglas and Aly Bain, and is a founding member of the folk supergroup Mozaik with Andy Irvine and Dónal Lunny. He is also closely associated with the BBC's much-loved Transatlantic Sessions, where American, Irish, Scottish and roots traditions meet in that magical shared space.
As a collective, Anger & Molsky represent two sides of the same great musical river. Darol brings the restless invention — jazz harmony, bluegrass fire, chamber-music daring and modern string-band architecture. Bruce brings the deep earth — mountain songs, old-time bowing, ancient dance rhythms, crooked tunes and the soul of tradition passed hand to hand. It is living music: curious, joyful, masterful and completely in the moment. Tickets are available to see the pair at https://www.barnoldswickmusicandartscentre.com/bruce-molsky-and-darol-anger-at-barnoldswick