The Southwest Bluegrass All Stars

The Southwest Bluegrass All-Stars are making their international debut at this year’s HMHF. This band brings together four well-known instrumentalists, singers and songwriters from New Mexico and Texas that perform an entertaining mix of bluegrass, country, folk, swing and gospel music. Banjo player Bill Evans is this year’s recipient of the Steve Martin Banjo Prize and is the author of the acclaimed best-seller Banjo For Dummies. He has performed with many bluegrass legends, including Dry Branch Fire Squad, Jody Stecher, Kathy Kallick, David Grisman, Darol Anger and Peter Rowan. He has played at HMHF with guitar legend Dan Crary and with his solo show “The Banjo In America.” Guitarist and singer/songwriter Elliott Rogers got his professional start in Austin, Texas with Robert Earl Keen and Townes Van Zandt, in addition to performing in the Alan Munde Gazette. His original songs are poignant and humorous (often at the same time!). Be sure to request Elliott’s classic song “Emu Meat!” Steve Smith is one of the best mandolin players in acoustic music today. He co-founded HMHF favorites The Hard Road Trio twelve years ago and his playing moves effortlessly from traditional bluegrass to the outer reaches of swing and jazz. Bassist and singer Anne Luna plays with Steve in The Hard Road Trio and she is one of the most in-demand bass players in the Southwest, ready to play everything from bluegrass to swing. In the last several years, she’s become an accomplished singer and songwriter. You’ll be touched by Elliott’s wonderful original songs, amazed at Bill and Steve’s instrumental wizardry and moved by Anne’s singing. The Southwest Bluegrass All-Stars can do it all!