Circus No. 9—Sophomore Full-Length Album “Circus No. 9” (Self-Titled) Out Now

Elated to announce Circus No. 9’s sophomore full-length album is now available on streaming platforms, and/or for physical CD purchase, via Bonfire Music Group.

Produced by Ben Garnett, asst. production by Thomas Cassell, Matthew Davis, and Vince Ilagan, recorded by Ben Surratt at the Rec Room Studio in Nashville, TN, mixed by Brandon Bell, and mastered by Alan Silverman / Arf Productions.

Circus No. 9 is:

Thomas Cassell - mandolin, mandola, vocals
Matthew Davis - banjo, vocals
Ben Garnett - guitar, electric guitar, electronics, vocals
Vince Ilagan - bass, vocals

Special guests:

John Mailander - fiddle
Aoife O’Donovan - vocals
Jeff Sipe - drums

“A vital modern experience conveyed with traditional instruments and approaches. Few such releases in 2022 are more fulfilling.”

—The Hollywood Digest

“Full of surprises, life, meaning, and deceptive power.”

—Skope Magazine

“Each member of Circus no. 9 plays extremely well - and when they come together it’s clear that their collective skills serve the music first and foremost. There’s nothing extra here - just well-crafted melodies and tasteful arrangements that blend old and new, acoustic and electronic. It’s music that bears repeated listening, for the nuances, as well as for the good feelings it engenders!”

—Brittany Haas

"Metamorphosis"

Hi friends, here is a brief improvised piece Annaliese Kowert and I recorded one day, with some electronic elements I integrated in after the fact. Ripley Whiteside then rendered an incredible stop-motion animation to accompany what we came up with. Themes of growth and metamorphosis might be ringing loud and clear for you in these times, so perhaps let this be a token for your clarity of mind, and an affirmation of the growing process. Enjoy, -b

“Stereoscope” - EP (2019)

So pleased to announce that the EP, “Stereoscope,” with fellow guitarist Ethan Sherman, is now available for purchase and/or listening on Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music, and other common streaming platforms. We recorded it in Nashville this past April and we’re so excited and proud to share it with you all now. It features a collection of music written by Ethan and myself, as well as the sounds of a few really special 1930’s Martin guitars, courtesy of our friends, Chris Eldridge and Kristin Andreassen. Enjoy and thank you for listening.

Available for digital purchase on Bandcamp:

Doc Watson Tribute Night

I am thrilled to be playing at the Bluebird Café on Saturday, September 14th, as part of an evening paying tribute to the late and great Doc Watson. I’ll be performing two pieces, each as a duet, with two guitar heroes, Bryan Sutton and Chris Eldridge. I am honored to be included in this lineup of incredible musicians, and to celebrate the lore, innovation, and grace that is Doc Watson.

Hope to see you there!

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Circus No. 9

Happy 2019!

I have some excellent news to share with you to start off the year. I am thrilled to be joining forces with progressive-bluegrass band Circus No. 9. I met both Thomas (mandolin) and Matthew (banjo) at the Acoustic Music Seminar in Savannah, GA back in 2017, and I’m so happy to now consider them part of my musical family. Our show last Friday night, opening for Sam Bush at the historic Bijou Theatre in downtown Knoxville was amazing, and I can’t wait to write and play more music with these fellas.  Please check my tour dates page to keep track of my shows with them, with Missy Raines, and others!  More soon… b

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Now offering (Skype) lessons!

Hello people of the music world,

Just wanted to announce that I am officially taking students of all levels, both in person and over Skype! Topics of discussion could include, but are certainly not limited to:

  • Technique Fundamentals

  • Learning Music by Ear

  • Reading Music

  • Composing Your Own Music

  • Arranging Your Own Music, and/or Other People's Music

  • General Improvisation

  • Introduction To Jazz Studies

  • Advanced Jazz Studies - soloing & comping ideas, learning tunes, etc.

  • Exercises In Counterpoint

  • Chord Voicings

  • How To Strengthen Your Time Feel

  • How To Play Well With Others (learning to listen & react while playing)

  • Philosophies On Growing And Getting Better

  • Philosophies On Broad Musical/Life Topics (finding your "voice", getting gigs, playing with others, etc.)

Would love to hear from you if any of these topics sound interesting. Drop me a line via the "study" page to discuss rates and setting up a lesson time. Thanks so much, -B

First Nashville gigs!

 

Well folks,

Since I made my move to Nashville back in September, things have been going super great!  I'm proud to say that my first couple gigs in town will be along side some really outstanding musicians.  On March 18th, I'll be at Rudy's Jazz Room with the Jimmy Sullivan quartet, featuring Billy Contreras on fiddle, Josh Hunt on drums, and yours truly on guitar.  We'll be exploring the somewhat uncharted intersection between modern jazz and acoustic roots music.  This will also debut a few of my newer compositions, so don't miss it!  Additional information can be found here.  Second, on March 23rd, I'll be opening for the legendary Sam Bush at the City Winery, playing in Missy Raines’s trio, with Missy, myself, and George Jackson.  If you're in the Nashville area, I would love to see you! 

More soon...

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Folk Alliance

Excited to announce I will be both playing AND teaching at the Folk Alliance International Conference this year. On Thursday, February 15th, I'll be performing with Missy Raines at the Benton's 20th Floor location, at 7:30pm.  In addition, I'll be teaching two classes part of the Louis Jay Meyers Music Camp, held in conjunction with Folk Alliance.  One will be an intro to jazz guitar, aimed for students primarily with a folk background.  We'll be discussing some brief jazz guitar history, how it relates to the folk tradition, and then dissect a few idiomatic jazz passages, revealing how "folky" they can actually sound at their core.  My hope is to unveil the perhaps covert similarity between jazz and folk music, and to anticipate more of the exciting future that lies ahead in their mingling. My second class will focus on creative improvisation within fiddle music, where I'll discuss ideas, techniques, and a few exercises to help spark a fresh and personal approach.  I hope to illuminate the real self-expressive potential I believe one has when playing this music, and to encourage players to think outside the box of what's "expected" in a great fiddle tune solo.

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UNT's 125th Anniversary

I just wanted to post about this incredible experience I had a little more than a year and a half ago. I was asked to play in a small jazz group placed right in the center of UNT's concert orchestra as part of a concert celebrating my alma mater's 125th anniversary. A pretty thrilling and epic experience—I've never had a performance quite like it. The piece was written by one of my favorite professors I had at North Texas, Richard ReDosa. I’ve linked a video that gives an explanation of the piece and the intentions behind the composition. It’s looking back on these experiences which make me all the more thankful and proud to have attended a school like UNT for music!

Q&A/Masterclass at Berklee

Yesterday I had the privilege of assisting Missy Raines in two Q&A/masterclass sessions at the Berklee College of Music. Sort of odd to be on the "other side" like that.  It was only spring 2016 when I graduated from the University of North Texas, where I attended masterclasses like that just about every week as a student. The experience was eye-opening, and made me realize how misleading the term "masterclass" can actually be, ha! The tables could've just as easily been turned, as I'm sure there was much to learn by the people who attended the session. The whole thing put into perspective how I think as artists we exist on this kind of common continuum of growth, where each of our unique upbringings, values, and visions allow us to inform one another. Doesn't really seem to have much to do with "mastery" at all. Towards the end of the second class, the Mike Marshall came in and played a few tunes with us before he gave a class of his own. I also got to sign the chest drawers in Steve Bailey's office with other bass and bass-related clinicians who have come to visit Berklee previously.  What an honor it is to be on the road with Missy and to see the world as a traveling musician! More soon ❤️

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Missy Raines and The New Hip

Friends!

I am thrilled to say that I will be joining Missy Raines' band—Missy Raines and The New Hip! Missy is a joy to work with, and the music is a blast to play. We have a trio comprised of Missy, myself, and fiddler, George Jackson (http://georgejackson.com.au/). We'll be hitting the road next week, so be sure to catch us at one of these shows! It will be wonderful going out to the Northeast during its full autumnal swing. In the meantime, be sure to snag a copy of Missy's latest CD, New Frontier, and other MR merch here —> http://missyraines.com/shop/

More information about Missy Raines: http://missyraines.com/ & http://www.missyrainesandthenewhip.com/

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The Acoustic Music Seminar

Hello everyone!

I wanted to share just a bit about my experience being a part of this amazing program. I'm sort of speechless about the whole thing, but in short, it truly changed my life. To me, the AMS was a beautiful and unbelievable way to 1.) meet my heroes, 2.) help deepen my understanding of who I am musically, and 3.) most significantly, introduce me to an incredible community of people—all of whom, to me, are striving to be the most honest, thoughtful, and giving artists they can all be. It is such an exciting time to be a part of this music. I feel as though the surface has really only been scratched with regard to what I believe is possible. Applications for next year's seminar are open NOW until November 15th, so if you are currently aged 22 or under, and interested in playing acoustic music, go after it and apply! Click the link below for more information:

http://www.savannahmusicfestival.org/education-programs/acoustic-music-seminar/

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Turkey, TX (46th Annual Bob Wills Day)

So a few weeks ago, my dear friend and collaborator, Ginny Mac, invited me to attend the annual Bob Wills Day music festival in Turkey, TX – a gorgeous little town known for being the birth place of Bob Wills, who if you don't know, is considered the father and co-founder of Western Swing music. Western Swing, to me, is this amazing melting pot of swing music (1920s-40s popular music), traditional country, cowboy-folk music, blues, and many other styles. It kind of reminds me a lot of Django Reinhardt's music—with regard to its origin (with combining regional folk music with popular music of the time). While I was there, we performed at The Church of Western Swing, picked some tunes at various jam sessions (many I didn't know–a good thing!), made some new friends, explored the town, and had many laughs in-between. I loved getting to know the Western Swing community and family. What a beautiful music built by beautiful people – I hope to return in years to come!

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The Acoustic Music Seminar

I am thrilled to announce that I have been selected to attend the Acoustic Music Seminar this coming April. The seminar is a six-day-long program in Savannah, GA where I'll get to study, play, compose, and hang with the likes of Mike Marshall, Julian Lage, Bryan Sutton, Aoife O'Donovan, Chris Eldridge, Edgar Meyer, Noam Pikelny, and others. Those who know me know that these folks are some of my greatest musical heroes...I couldn't be more excited to be a part of this. Looking forward to a great week of inspiration and growth!

Senior Recital (Samba em Prelúdio)

Hi everyone!

So just 5 months ago, I had the great pleasure of doing my senior recital at the University of North Texas (alongside drummer extraordinaire, Matt Young) as part of finishing my degree and showcasing what I've learned in my time being there. What an incredible evening. On top of that, I was lucky enough to perform with some really fantastic players as a part of it. Here's a video of a tune from that night—enjoy one of Baden Powell's classic pieces, “Samba em Prelúdio.” (Unfortunately we were not able to capture the "prelúdio" section at the beginning on video due to technical difficulties, so please enjoy the "samba" portion of this amazing tune)

 

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