Not one but TWO Saturdays of Abigail Washburn!
By now, even casual followers of Americana and roots music should know who the hell Abigail Washburn is — bandleader of The Sparrow Quartet (a mind-blowing group that includes Bela Fleck, Ben Sollee and Casey Driessen) and a great singer-songwriter who’s performed a couple of times in East Tennessee over the past year — as part of the “Tennessee Shines” program in October 2008 (the last time we interviewed her) and a couple of weeks ago when she opened for The Dave Rawlings Machine.
Now, she’s coming back to town in January — for two performances at The Glowing Body, 711 Irwin St. (a yoga studio and health shoppe in Downtown North Knoxville, if I’m not mistaken). Here’s the skinny from the Body’s website:
ABIGAIL WASHBURN
Saturday, JANUARY 23 & Saturday, JANUARY 30, 2010
6:30pm Potluck
7:30 Show
Pass the Dharma Bucket!
Abigail Washburn’s distinctive style is rooted in her love for two seemingly unrelated worlds: Appalachian folk music and Chinese culture. Her unconventional fusion of East and West in old time banjo tunes has a soulful complexity that speaks to audiences of any background. Washburn, formerly of the all girl trio Uncle Earl, has recorded and performed internationally both as a solo artist and with The Sparrow Quartet, comprised of Washburn, banjo player Bela Fleck, cellist Ben Sollee, and fiddler Casey Driessen. In 2009, she released an EP titled Afterquake to raise funds to rebuild the Sichuan province after the area’s devastating earthquake. A poignant portrait of both suffering and hope, Afterquake blends the voices of Chinese children singing traditional folk songs with electronic sounds and post-earthquake samples. Washburn is fresh off tour dates opening for Steve Martin and is currently working on her next solo recording project- much of which she hopes to share in her upcoming shows.
This is a unique opportunity at the Glowing Body to hear an incredible talent in an intimate and casual environment! Please bring a potluck dish to share at 6:30! Wine and beer as well as juices and water are available for sale in the studio and you are welcome to bring your own as well!