The Boston Bluegrass Union visits Brandeis University 

The Boston Bluegrass Union and Brandeis University joined forces to present a free lunchtime concert as part of the Brandeis Music Department's Music at Mandel series. 

This series continues to bring vibrant performances to campus, offering free, high-quality concerts open to all. This special bluegrass performance was made possible partly by a grant from the Boston Bluegrass Union through its campusGrass program, demonstrating the impact of college-level engagement in sustaining and expanding bluegrass music. By fostering collaborations between professional musicians and academic institutions, this initiative helps introduce bluegrass to new audiences and inspires the next generation of musicians. 

Taylor Ackley, Assistant Professor of Music and Director of the Brandeis Roots Ensemble, assembled an outstanding five-piece, all-professional band for the performance. The ensemble featured some of the Boston area's finest bluegrass musicians: Gretchen Bowder on banjo, Tony Watt on guitar, Devon Gardner on fiddle, James Heazlewood-Dale on bass, and Professor Ackley himself on mandolin and lead vocals. Together, they delivered an engaging and authentic bluegrass experience, enriching the Music at Mandel series with the depth and tradition of American Bluegrass music. 

Once the band wrapped up its stage performance, musicians and attendees enjoyed complimentary sandwiches, soft drinks, and plenty of good old-fashioned bluegrass chatter. This intimate setting allowed for lively conversation, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and appreciation for the music. While the crowd was small, the performance embodied the heart of the bluegrass community, storytelling, and the joy of shared musical traditions. 

In addition to their performance at Mandel, the band participated in two student-centered events, a workshop with the Brandeis Roots Ensemble and a student-led recording session at the Sound, Image, and Media Studio on campus. In their workshop, the musicians performed, talked about their instruments’ roles in a bluegrass setting, and responded to student questions. The recording session was held in the newly renovated SIMS studio and captured performances of iconic songs written and performed by historically significant Boston area bluegrass artists, including the Lilly Brothers, Don Stover, and Joe Val and the New England Bluegrass Boys.