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George Jackson and Brad Kolodner are a fiddle and banjo duo whose music is deeply rooted in the Old Time tradition while bursting with creative energy and adventurous spirit. Jackson, born in New Zealand and now based in Nashville, is one of the most respected fiddlers in today's Old Time and Bluegrass scene, known for his work with the Jacob Jolliff Band, original compositions and his dedication to the traditional music of Appalachia. Kolodner, a Baltimore native, is a powerhouse on clawhammer banjo and a founding member of the acclaimed roots quartet Charm City Junction.
Together, they’ve developed a powerful synergy that thrives on spontaneity and groove. Sprinkle in harmony singing, twin fiddles and double banjo duets, their live performances are eclectic and dynamic. After touring George’s native New Zealand in 2024, they returned to the U.S. and headed straight into the studio to record Shady Lane—a vibrant collection of thirteen fiddle and banjo duets. From blazing barn-burners to dreamy, meditative pieces, the album showcases their dynamic interplay and deep roots. As Bluegrass Today writes, “This accomplished duo really makes the sparks fly... Jackson and Kolodner make this old-timey music sound new all over again.”
George Jackson and Brad Kolodner are a fiddle and banjo duo whose music is deeply rooted in the Old Time tradition while bursting with creative energy and adventurous spirit. Jackson, born in New Zealand and now based in Nashville, is one of the most respected fiddlers in today's Old Time and Bluegrass scene, known for his work with the Jacob Jolliff Band, original compositions and his dedication to the traditional music of Appalachia. Kolodner, a Baltimore native, is a powerhouse on clawhammer banjo and a founding member of the acclaimed roots quartet Charm City Junction.
Together, they’ve developed a powerful synergy that thrives on spontaneity and groove. Sprinkle in harmony singing, twin fiddles and double banjo duets, their live performances are eclectic and dynamic. After touring George’s native New Zealand in 2024, they returned to the U.S. and headed straight into the studio to record Shady Lane—a vibrant collection of thirteen fiddle and banjo duets. From blazing barn-burners to dreamy, meditative pieces, the album showcases their dynamic interplay and deep roots. As Bluegrass Today writes, “This accomplished duo really makes the sparks fly... Jackson and Kolodner make this old-timey music sound new all over again.”
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2025 Concert Schedule
Fri, Feb 28 - Louisville, KY
21c Museum Hotel
MORE INFO TBD
Sat, Mar 1 - Nashville, TN
The Violin Shop
MORE INFO HERE
Sun, Mar 2 - Decatur, GA
Banjo and Fiddle Workshops (Afternoon)
MORE INFO HERE
Sun, Mar 2 - Scottdale, GA
House Concert (Evening)
MORE INFO HERE
Mon, Mar 3 - Dahlonega, GA
UNG Dahlonega
MORE INFO HERE
Sat, Apr 19 - Baltimore, MD
6th Annual Baltimore Old Time Music Festival
MORE INFO HERE
Sat, Jun 14-Sun, Jun 15 - Cowichan, BC, Canada
Cowichan Valley Bluegrass Festival
MORE INFO HERE
Sep 16-18 - Chattanooga, TN
IBMA World of Bluegrass Ramble Showcase
MORE INFO HERE
Fri, Oct 3 - Waterford, VA
Waterford Fair Festival
MORE INFO HERE
21c Museum Hotel
MORE INFO TBD
Sat, Mar 1 - Nashville, TN
The Violin Shop
MORE INFO HERE
Sun, Mar 2 - Decatur, GA
Banjo and Fiddle Workshops (Afternoon)
MORE INFO HERE
Sun, Mar 2 - Scottdale, GA
House Concert (Evening)
MORE INFO HERE
Mon, Mar 3 - Dahlonega, GA
UNG Dahlonega
MORE INFO HERE
Sat, Apr 19 - Baltimore, MD
6th Annual Baltimore Old Time Music Festival
MORE INFO HERE
Sat, Jun 14-Sun, Jun 15 - Cowichan, BC, Canada
Cowichan Valley Bluegrass Festival
MORE INFO HERE
Sep 16-18 - Chattanooga, TN
IBMA World of Bluegrass Ramble Showcase
MORE INFO HERE
Fri, Oct 3 - Waterford, VA
Waterford Fair Festival
MORE INFO HERE
“This accomplished duo really makes the sparks fly. Jackson and Kolodner make this old-timey music sound new all over again while making listeners want to get on their feet and dance.” - Bluegrass Unlimited
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George Jackson and Brad Kolodner met nearly ten years ago in a late-night jam session at the hallowed Appalachian String Band Music Festival in Clifftop, West Virginia and have since formed a special musical bond that runs deep, across continents and through a number of recorded projects. Flash forward to the spring of 2024 when the two of them were on tour in George's native New Zealand. They traversed the country playing rec halls, community centers, living rooms and bluegrass clubs. Upon returning to the States, they made the impulsive decision to go immediately into the studio to record a full-length album of banjo and fiddle duets. Much of the repertoire was worked up between their gigs, hikes to remote mountain huts, swims on driftwood-lined ocean beaches and hearty meals of fresh fish and chips.
Born in New Zealand and now based in Nashville, George Jackson is one of today's most respected Old Time and Bluegrass fiddlers, steeping himself in the traditional fiddle music of Appalachia and rural America. Brad Kolodner, Baltimore born and raised, is a force on clawhammer banjo and a founding member of the acclaimed roots quartet Charm City Junction. Together, there’s something in the synergy of their musical personalities that encourages exciting interplay, daring one another at a moment's notice to step to the side of a path for a spell and play something that keeps the listener, and player, on the edge of their seat. They do this while staying fully in the groove and true to the soul of Old Time banjo and fiddle music. It’s with this spirit in mind that George and Brad wanted to create an album of recordings that captures some of these live moments and brings their interplay front and center. The album is a collection of thirteen banjo and fiddle duets from raging barn-burners to dreamy, ethereal pieces.
“We hope you enjoy this selection of tunes that we had so much fun recording, our hope is that this music can take you on a journey somewhere else for a moment or two in your day, as it did for us. Thanks for listening!” George and Brad
Born in New Zealand and now based in Nashville, George Jackson is one of today's most respected Old Time and Bluegrass fiddlers, steeping himself in the traditional fiddle music of Appalachia and rural America. Brad Kolodner, Baltimore born and raised, is a force on clawhammer banjo and a founding member of the acclaimed roots quartet Charm City Junction. Together, there’s something in the synergy of their musical personalities that encourages exciting interplay, daring one another at a moment's notice to step to the side of a path for a spell and play something that keeps the listener, and player, on the edge of their seat. They do this while staying fully in the groove and true to the soul of Old Time banjo and fiddle music. It’s with this spirit in mind that George and Brad wanted to create an album of recordings that captures some of these live moments and brings their interplay front and center. The album is a collection of thirteen banjo and fiddle duets from raging barn-burners to dreamy, ethereal pieces.
“We hope you enjoy this selection of tunes that we had so much fun recording, our hope is that this music can take you on a journey somewhere else for a moment or two in your day, as it did for us. Thanks for listening!” George and Brad
