Acclaimed bluegrass fiddler Andy Leftwich has released a new instrumental piece titled “R-26,” demonstrating his versatility across genres. “R-26” pays homage to the original composers and performers from over 75 years ago.
This track is a lively exploration of the tradition where country session musicians would unwind and experiment with swing music after hours. The deep camaraderie among the musicians is evident in the seamless exchange of solos, allowing each player, including bassist House, to shine.
The piece features both effortless solo passages and coordinated unison sections, highlighting the musicians’ technical skill and synergy.
“I’ve always loved the music of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli,” confesses Leftwich. “This fun tune was introduced to me by my wife’s cousin, Luke. It’s one that you don’t hear very often, but has a simple and catchy melody that is extremely fun to improvise and solo over. Django and Stephane have inspired so many great musicians and have had a huge impact on bluegrass music. I first heard about Stephane through David Grisman and their record Live. I instantly fell in love with that style of music and dove head first into their catalog. The art of improvisation is something that makes Bluegrass and Swing music so unique, and I was thrilled to record this one with Cody Kilby on guitar and Byron House on upright bass. I hope it brings a smile to your face, as it does for me each time we play it!”
Author: World Music Central News Room
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