Bruce Molsky

Bruce Molsky

Bruce Molsky is an American fiddler, banjo player, guitarist and singer from Manhattan, New York, born in 1955. He is associated with old-time music from the Appalachian region, and his work also sits within folk and contra traditions.

Background

Molsky grows up near St. James Park in the Bronx. His father, Milton, is a mechanical engineer and a first-generation American descendant of Jewish immigrants from Poland. As a young man, he first takes an interest in blues, then becomes absorbed in old-time music while studying engineering at Cornell University in Ithaca from 1972.

His playing is influenced by fiddler Tommy Jarrell, whom he visits in North Carolina in 1976.

Recording and collaborations

Molsky records with Bob Carlin in 1990 and releases several records on Rounder Records under his own name. He also records as part of Bruce Molsky and Big Hoedown with Beverly Smith and Rafe Stefanini in 1997. Other band work includes Fiddlers 4, Mozaik, The Hellbenders and The Jumpsteady Boys.

Teaching and performance

He appears in instructional videos on old-time fiddle, both as a solo performer and with Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer. He also plays many concerts and festivals.

Later life

Molsky formerly lives near Washington, D.C. with his wife Audrey, and now lives in Beacon, New York.