Mark Schatz & Bryan McDowell CANCELLED New date TBD

In January 2020,  Mark Schatz and Bryan McDowell started working up a duo show for  festivals, small venues, and a Canadian fall tour. The time they spent  together touring with the Claire Lynch Band had fostered a personal and  musical rapport, which has made for a fruitful collaboration. Their show  offers stylistically diverse material, ranging from traditional fiddle  tunes and ballads, Bob Dylan, and a Louis Jordan boogie-woogie number to  an Eastern European folk song on bowed bass and bluesy renderings on  fretless banjo. Their CD, Grit & Polish, Recorded in Mark’s basement  recording studio, went to #1 on the Folk DJ charts in 2021.

Mark is a prominent  figure in the contemporary acoustic music world who has recorded and  toured with Bela Fleck, Tony Rice, Tim O'Brien, Nickel Creek, John  Hartford, The Claire Lynch Band, and Sarah Jarosz. Though best known for  his work on acoustic bass, Mark has released two of his own solo  recordings on Rounder Records which feature his original compositions  and clawhammer banjo playing. He is the Musical Director for the  acclaimed dance troupe Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble, and is  currently touring with Bryan McDowell and his own solo show, Mark Schatz  – The Solo Concert.

Western North  Carolina native Bryan McDowell grew up in a rich musical environment  where he learned everything from Doc Watson to Charlie Parker. His  extraordinary facility on several instruments, his sure, sweet tenor  voice, and his stylistic versatility have made him a much sought after  sideman, landing him tours with the likes of Molly Tuttle, Mountain  Heart, Sierra Hull, and a long stint with The Claire Lynch Band. Most  recently Bryan has been focused on recording sessions, teaching, and  studying for his BA.