Description
Join Progressive Acoustics for an intimate evening of guitar duets and solo banjo.
Guitar duos – Ben Cocchiaro and Gabriel Furtado are multi-instrumentalists from Philadelphia. Founding members of the venerable Rubble City Stringband, they’ve spent half a decade fermenting and distilling a flammable repertoire of flatpick/fingerstyle guitar duets drawn from the old-time and shape note traditions. Gabrielโs lyrical phrasing and Benโs rhythmic precision create a dynamic interplay that honors the genreโs roots while carving out a fresh, intimate sound. Recorded with warmth and spontaneity, their new album ranges from intricate, hypnotic arrangements of traditional and contemporary fiddle tunes to ragged-but-right bastardizations of 18th century American fuguing hymns.
Solo banjo – Cassidy Beentjes is a composer, arranger, and virtuoso banjo player living in Philadelphia. Trained initially on the classical guitar at Chetham’s School of Music, Cassidy brings a uniquely sophisticated, historically grounded approach to the five-string banjoโseamlessly blending classical precision with brilliant folk traditions. Known for his creative collaborations with banjo legend Bรฉla Fleckโincluding his standout work as an orchestrator and director for the prestigious Blue Ridge Banjo Camp OrchestraโCassidy pushes the boundaries of the instrument through stunning transcriptions, original compositions, and masterclass technique. Whether you are a devoted follower of acoustic innovation or simply looking for an unforgettable night of world-class musicianship, this is a performance you won’t want to miss!
Progressive Acoustics is a program of The Community’s Foundation (https://tcfhelps.org)