Two architects of the New Acoustic Music movement
Fiddler/violinist Darol Anger and multi-instrumental virtuoso Mike Marshall are pioneers of the New Acoustic Music movement, which is still bringing folk, jazz, bluegrass, and world music influences together in an instrumental acoustic setting. Together as members of the original David Grisman Quintet, The Montreux Band, Psychograss, and their Duo - and individually as members of The Turtle Island String Quartet, Edgar Meyer’s Short Trip Home group, The Republic of Strings, and others - it is fair to say they have influenced more than three generations of musicians, setting up the playing field for groups such as Punch Brothers, Aoife O’Donovan, Hawktail, Sierra Hull, and generations of jam bands such as The Infamous Stringdusters and Greensky Bluegrass.
Darol and Mike have created their own way of speaking - through their instruments. When discussing the Duo’s live performances, people often use phrases like “synergy,” “magical space,” “sounds like 5 people playing,” or “space travelers.” Their connection and shared repertoire goes very deep, developed over 45 years of music-making in a huge variety of music styles and settings.