The fourth annual California Banjo Extravaganza featured Peghead Nation banjo instructor Bill Evans, Ryan Cavanaugh, and Riley Baugus headlining four concerts and hosting a Banjo Mini-Camp in November.
The last show of the tour was at the Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse in Berkeley, California. In this video, Bill plays his original song “The Distance Between Two Points” with the Extravaganza’s all-star band, including Peghead Nation instructors Chad Manning and Sharon Gilchrist, along with mandolin great John Reischman and guitar master Jim Nunally.
The song is the lead-off track on Bill’s excellent In Good Company album. It was composed in collaboration with Bill’s daughter, Corey, as he relates in this article on his website. On this night, it kicked off a wonderful evening of performances that showed the incredible diversity possible with talented folks playing the five-string banjo.
Bill Evans teaches Beginning Banjo and Bluegrass Banjo on Peghead Nation.
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John Reischman, Bill Evans, and Friends: “Suzanne’s Journey”John Reischman plays his tune “Suzanne’s Journey” at Great Lakes Music Camp 2023 with Bill Evans, Ethan Setiawan Jeremy Kittel, Hayes Griffin, and Todd Phillips. Read More |
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California Bluegrass Reunion: “Petersburg Gal”A powerhouse band packed with Peghead Nation instructors plays an original tune from Bill Evans. Read More |
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California Bluegrass Reunion: “Suzanne’s Journey”All-star band of Peghead Nation instructors Bill Evans, Chad Manning, Sharon Gilchrist, and John Reischman, along with Darol Anger and Jim Nunally, play one of John’s new original tunes. Read More |
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California Bluegrass Reunion: “Roll On Buddy, Roll On”Powerhouse band of Peghead Nation instructors Bill Evans, Chad Manning, Sharon Gilchrist, and John Reischman, along with Darol Anger and Jim Nunally, play a bluegrass classic. Read More |
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California Banjo Extravaganza: “Chinquapin Hunting”A performance from a Peghead-packed band of Bill Evans, Sharon Gilchrist, Chad Manning, John Reischman, and Jim Nunally. Read More |
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Ned Luberecki: “Take Five” | California Banjo ExtravaganzaA performance of the jazz classic by the 2018 IBMA Banjo Player of Year, with Sharon Gilchrist, Chad Manning, John Reischman, and Jim Nunally. Read More |
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California Banjo Extravaganza: “Angeline the Baker”A performance from Bill Evans, Chris Coole, and Ned Luberecki, with a Peghead-packed band of Sharon Gilchrist, Chad Manning, John Reischman, and Jim Nunally. Read More |
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Bill Evans, John Reischman, and Kenny Smith: “Studebaker”Flatpicking master Kenny Smith plays one of his original tunes with Peghead Nation banjo and mandolin instructors, along with bassist Max Schwartz and fiddler Nate Lee. Read More |
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Bill Evans, John Reischman, and Kenny Smith: “Petersburg Gal”Peghead Nation banjo and mandolin instructors play Bill Evans’ original tune with flatpicking guru Kenny Smith, bassist Max Schwartz, and fiddler Nate Lee at the Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse. Read More |
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California Banjo Extravaganza: “Train 45 / Reuben’s Train”A performance from Bill Evans, Joe Newberry, and Danny Barnes, with an all-star band of Sharon Gilchrist, Chad Manning, John Reischman, and Jim Nunally. Read More |
