When putting together what will be a truly memorable festival experience for our patrons, it is imperative that we bring to you musicians and individuals who are both decidedly unique and ridiculously gifted.

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There’s no doubt that Joe Craven, a master of the mandolin and violin, mind-boggling percussionist, story-teller and emcee is the kind of artist who will turn heads and then turn them again all the while adding considerable artistic depth and merriment to Roots and Blues 2016.

Joe Craven’s resume is simply as impressive as they come as a recording artist, performer, and teacher. Joe’s talents were evident in his alternately slicing and sweet violin and percolating percussion playing which was a focal point of the David Grisman Quintet for 17 years, including all of the choice sessions Grisman, Craven and company cut with Stephane Grappelli and Jerry Garcia.

Craven took his skills and spent another seven years working with banjo master Alison Browne and just for good measure added his talents to the acoustic super group Psychograss that included a number of other members of the Grisman alumni-association, (Mike Marshall, Todd Phillips, Darol Anger) as well as Tim O’Brien and Tony Trischka.

Along the way Craven has also recorded four solo discs, with his Django Latino outing considered an absolute gem that found him interpreting the music of the Hot Club of France with a number of Latin flavours.

Toss in the fact that he is one of the most engaging emcees around, just ask audiences at Telluride and Delfest, and we guarantee you will have a craving for more Joe Craven minutes after the 2016 Roots and Blues festival gates open.

“Everything Joe touches turns to music,” says David Grisman. Believe him.

Check out what Joe Craven is up to CLICK HERE