2024 Acts
June 22nd | Orem City Center ParkJohn Reischman and his Bluegrass Band
“The grand master of the mandolin returns to The Columbia Gorge Bluegrass Festival with guest Dan Booth, joining three of John’s top-drawer picking pals: Nick Hornbuckle, Greg Spatz, and Patrick Sauber.
From his days in the early ‘80s with the original Tony Rice Unit, John has dazzled audiences across the globe with dozens of mesmerizing original compositions played with great power, taste and gorgeous tone on his rare and mighty 1924 “Lloyd Loar” Gibson mandolin. In addition to touring more than 20 years with the Jaybirds, Vancouver, BC-based John has collected a Grammy certificate and three Juno (Canadian Grammy) nominations for his outstanding recording output, including seven Jaybird albums, four solo instrumental albums, and many more great platters with the Good Ol’ Persons, Todd Phillips, Scott Nygaard, John Miller, the late Butch Baldassari and other top players.
Veteran bluegrasser, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Dan Booth toured for four years with the IBMA-winning Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen out of Washington, DC, and with California’s Kathy Kallick Band for five years and two albums. “In addition to his impeccable bass playing, Dan is a remarkable singer, known for his powerful lead and seamlessly blended harmony vocals,” said Cybergrass, the Bluegrass Music Network.
He’ll be joining three of John’s Jaybirds crew: Juno-nominated banjo player Nick Hornbuckle, State of Maine fiddle champion Greg Spatz, and blazing guitar flatpicker and high lonesome singer Patrick Sauber. Tunesmith Nick, out of Nanaimo, BC, has wonderful tone on the five-string and two critically-acclaimed solo instrumental albums to his credit. Nimble and soaring fiddler and composer Greg, out of Spokane, is working on a second solo album and has recorded with his wife, fiddle builder Caridwen Irvine-Spatz, in Mighty Squirrel and as a duet. Los Angeles-based Patrick, with many recording sessions in his arsenal, is one of the hottest guitar men in all of bluegrass and brings a keen tenor and lead voice to the band.
Settle in and enjoy this very impressive lineup!”
Matt Flinner Trio
Since its inception in 2006, the Matt Flinner Trio has been paving its own path in acoustic string band music. Mandolinist Matt Flinner, guitarist Ross Martin and bassist Eric Thorin cover a wide variety of musical styles—all with the common ground of bluegrass and American roots music infused with their own originality. Bluegrass, jazz, old-time and Celtic music are all present here, but not necessarily overtly or in a contrived sense. Call it Americana Music, or New Acoustic, or Chamber Grass, or just call it Great Music; whatever label you put on it, it is guaranteed to be fresh and original, and definitely something you’ve never quite heard before.
On select tours, the Trio performs music that is as fresh as it gets—music written the day of the show. In these “Music du Jour” Tours, each member of the Trio writes music each day of the tour, and each dayʼs music is debuted on that eveningʼs show. The results are stylistically varied, unpredictable and always exciting. The Matt Flinner Trio released their first two CDs, “Music du Jour,” and “Winter Harvest” in 2009 and 2012 on Compass Records. The CDs feature selected compositions from various “Music du Jour” tours the trio did between 2006-12. Bluegrass, jazz and Americana are all part of the mix, and both CDs break new ground in acoustic string band music. Their third CD, “Traveling Roots,” was released on Compass Records in 2016.
Kate MacLeod
If you are in need of a sound that fills you up like food for the soul, then look no further. Kate MacLeod has you covered.
MusicMecca.org
Kate’s song, The Grand Staircase Escalante, won first prize for the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument Partner’s search for a theme song. 2018
Kate has been repeatedly voted in her region by the Intermountain Acoustic Music Association as “Best Songwriter” and “Best Fiddler.”
Molly in the Mineshaft
Awards and recognition include 2019 Arts Northwest Showcase Grand Award Winner; three-time national twin-fiddle champion; “Best of State” small instrumental group; “Best Original Composition”, Utah Percussive Arts Society; and a combined 7 state instrument championships in violin, banjo, and mandolin. Members of the group have shared the stage with Natalie MacMaster, Bar J Wranglers, Rory Feek, The Lower Lights, Jon Schmidt, Lincoln Highway, Evan J. Marshall, Cold Creek, and the Lux Singers.
“Newgrass” group Molly in the Mineshaft finds a perfect balance between celebrating the diverse musical heritage of bluegrass music and presenting it with a new twist. They’ll wow the audience with their upbeat take on traditional favorites from around the world, mixed with roots-inspired original compositions. Expect toe-tapping solos from remarkable players, including three-time national twin-fiddle champion from the Weiser, Idaho Fiddle Festival. Their purpose is to uplift, entertain, and inspire people of all ages through high-energy, diverse music. Members of the band have performed throughout North America and Europe, including the United States, Mexico, Croatia, France, Switzerland, and Spain. Their audiences range from Elementary school children to international dignitaries.
Band members have degrees in music education, business, English, and occupational therapy. Outside of school and music, they serve their communities at youth camps, church organizations, senior living centers, hospitals, and schools.
Beck Brothers Band
Born with a guitar and fiddle in their hands, Skyler and Zach Beck grew up performing, competing, and practicing every single day of their adolescent years. As they matured, they both found themselves playing all over the United States to eventually rarely picking at all. After a few years of life changes and a worldwide pandemic, the Beck brothers found themselves in a spare bedroom with some song ideas.
Finding the missing pieces proved to almost be too easy, as they previously had experience playing with all other members of the band. Isaac Geslison brought a much-needed addition of Banjo and Mandolin to keep the more traditional sounds of Bluegrass. Jed Bradshaw brought a more progressive taste with electric bass not found in most traditional bands, but appropriate for the sound. Lastly, Jaxon Tubbs’ drums tastefully added rhythm, giving the Beck Brothers their perfect blend of tradition and progression.
After only a few years of performing, the Beck Brothers have performed for thousands playing alongside world-renowned acts like Tim O’Brien and Ryan Shupe & The RubberBand. On top of live shows, the Beck Brothers have released 3 recorded singles available on all streaming platforms.
Mary Otterstrom & Kjersten Danzig
The Last Wild Buffalo Band
Bio: The Last Wild Buffalo is a dynamic ”newgrass” band with a mission to bring together nature enthusiasts and music lovers alike.
Founded in 2022 with roots in Logan, Utah, The Last Wild Buffalo consists of lifelong friends Jonny Celaya, Isaac Woodruff, and Luke Diamond. This trio’s journey led them to Alaska, where they discovered and shaped their unique sound—a blend of folk, bluegrass, and a hint of punk influences reminiscent of The Avett Brothers, The Lumineers, Caamp, and Blink-182.
More than just a band, The Last Wild Buffalo is a family. With each performance, we invite you into our home, creating a welcoming and upbeat environment that we hope fosters genuine connections. We have a commitment to creating a sense of community in every show we play and we hope to see you at a show soon.
Jonny Celaya: Jonnny has a passion for creating and sharing music that welcomes those who listen into his home. Growing up in a family with music at the center, he takes a lot of musical inspiration from his childhood and his surroundings. Jonny currently attends Utah State University, where he reunited with childhood best friend Isaac to create The Last Wild Buffalo.
Isaac Woodruff: Isaac grew up in Utah with a love for music and the outdoors. A childhood
friend to Jonny, they spent their early years dreaming of the days when they would play in a
band together, but it wasn’t until life brought them back together in college that The Last Wild
Buffalo was born. Isaac aims to share his love of god, nature, and family in all that he writes and
plays.
Luke Diamond: Luke was a pivotal piece of the puzzle necessary to creating the sought after
sound of The Last Wild Buffalo. Born in Colorado, Luke is our resident master of the outdoors.
From climbing, to split-boarding in the backcountry, Luke looks to create music that emulates
the feelings of enjoying the great outdoors. Luke commands the upright bass and trust us… size
matters.
Ella Celaya: Ella is the newest addition to the band and the 2nd Celaya to join the show, but
don’t let her age fool you, at 16 Ella rips both the fiddle and the keys and was the missing piece
towards unlocking our full sound.