Brad Kolodner

“The new album, Old Growth, from Baltimore old-time impresario and banjo man Brad Kolodner is a revelation. Entirely instrumental, and all played on a fretless gourd banjo, it makes the listener wonder if this is how banjos used to sound in the early 19th century. Kolodner creates a gorgeous layered blend of earth tones, echoes and gut strings, referencing the instrument’s African origins. Kolodner’s talent as a banjo player is hypnotic. His clawhammer melodies are so lush you’ll feel you’re brushing through ferns and undergrowth on the Appalachian Trail. It’s a glorious listen.” - Songlines Magazine Growing up in a musical family, Brad was exposed to Folk music from birth. His father Ken Kolodner is a renowned hammered dulcimer player and fiddler who toured for many years in the folk trio Helicon. When Brad picked up the banjo at age 17, everything started to click into place. Since then, he’s charted a path centered on performing, recording, broadcasting and community organizing. He’s an acclaimed clawhammer banjo player who performs with the chart-topping Irish, Old-Time, Bluegrass fusion quartet Charm City Junction. He’s recorded four albums of Old-Time and original music with his father Ken under the name Ken & Brad Kolodner. Brad is a major driver behind the bustling Old-Time and Bluegrass scene in his hometown of Baltimore. He produces the bi-weekly Baltimore Old Time Jam, monthly Baltimore Square Dance and the annual Baltimore Old-Time Music Festival.