published by BMNN on Sun, 01/22/2017 - 00:06
Boston, MA -- A unique, all-encompassing experience for music lovers of all ages – set to a rollicking, first-rate soundtrack – the 32nd Joe Val Bluegrass Festival, presented by the Boston Bluegrass Union (BBU), takes place over Presidents’ Day Weekend, February 17-19, 2017, at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel, Framingham, MA. Year after year, this nationally acclaimed celebration of bluegrass music continues to win new converts while delighting seasoned fans.
published by BMNN on Sun, 01/15/2017 - 00:33
Gerry Katz of the Boston Bluegrass Union writes, "I'm really excited to announce an updated and expanded line-up for this year's Master Classes and Fast Track Classes at Joe Val. Joining us to teach the fiddle Master Class will be Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, the fiddler in Mile Twelve. And for the Fast Track Classes, I will now be teaching a class on bluegrass jamming, while Mary Maguire and Nancy Harrowitz have completely reenvisioned their joint class on singing."
published by BMNN on Wed, 02/03/2016 - 00:45
Boston, MA -- The Boston Bluegrass Union writes, "We're entering the homestretch ahead of next week's 31st Joe Val Bluegrass Festival, February 12 - 14, at the Sheraton Framingham. Everyone at the BBU and the Sheraton are making every effort to ensure you have a wonderful weekend. It looks to be a mighty fine time, with great lineups on the Main and Showcase stages, Master Classes, Workshops, Kids Academy, Vendors and much more."
published by BMNN on Tue, 01/12/2016 - 01:15
Join the Boston Bluegrass Union and celebrate the legacy of the late Joe Val with three big days of indoor bluegrass at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel. The BBU has a great lineup of national and regional talent, expanded workshops, Kid’s Academy, music vendors, and round-the-clock jamming. Our 2006 event won the coveted “Event of the Year” award from the International Bluegrass Music Association.
published by BMNN on Wed, 02/11/2015 - 23:12
While the Boston area has been blessed with extra white stuff this winter, we are ready to welcome you to the festival. As always, Joe Val will have great music, wonderful workshops and plenty of pickin', but we also offer the new Sunday night Dance Party! You won't want to miss this fun addition to the festival. Take a break from the shoveling and come join us at the Sheraton Framingham this coming weekend for the 30th Joe Val Bluegrass Festival. It promises to be a fantastic weekend. Something for everyone.
published by BMNN on Fri, 02/06/2015 - 23:15
Boston, MA -- Join the Boston Bluegrass Union and celebrate the legacy of the late Joe Val with three big days of indoor bluegrass at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel. The BBU has a great lineup of national and regional talent, expanded workshops, Kid’s Academy, music vendors, and round-the-clock jamming. Our 2006 event won the coveted “Event of the Year” award from the International Bluegrass Music Association. 2015 is the 30th Anniversary of this wonderful event.
published by BMNN on Wed, 12/31/2014 - 22:08
Join the Boston Bluegrass Union as they celebrate the legacy of the late Joe Val with three big days of indoor bluegrass at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel. They have a great lineup of national and regional talent, expanded workshops, Kid’s Academy, music vendors, and round-the-clock jamming. Their 2006 event won the coveted “Event of the Year” award from the International Bluegrass Music Association. 2015 is the 30th Anniversary of this wonderful event.
published by BMNN on Sun, 12/07/2014 - 00:01
Boston, MA -- A unique, all-encompassing experience for music lovers of all ages – set to a rollicking, first-rate soundtrack – New England’s premier roots music festival, the 30th Joe Val Bluegrass Festival, presented by the Boston Bluegrass Union (BBU), will take place over Presidents’ Day Weekend, February 13-15, 2015, at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel, Framingham, MA. Year after year, this nationally acclaimed celebration of bluegrass music continues to win new converts while delighting seasoned veterans.
published by BMNN on Wed, 01/29/2014 - 00:48
Boston, MA -- Bluegrass superstars Blue Highway kick off their 20th year as a working band with a brand-new album, The Game, and a headlining slot at the 29th annual Joe Val Bluegrass Festival, New England’s premier wintertime roots music festival.
published by BMNN on Wed, 01/22/2014 - 01:26
Michigan based national touring bluegrass music band Detour is set for a highly anticipated performance at the Joe Val Bluegrass on February 16, 2014. The Boston Bluegrass Union will celebrate the legacy of the late Joe Val with three big days (Feb 14-16) of indoor bluegrass at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel. The event includes a great lineup of national and regional talent, expanded workshops, Kid’s Academy, music vendors, and round-the-clock jamming. More information, including ticket prices can be found at bbu.org/events/joe-val-festival.
published by BMNN on Sun, 12/22/2013 - 00:16
Boston, MA -- A unique, all-encompassing experience for music lovers of all ages – set to a rollicking, first-rate soundtrack – New England’s premier wintertime roots music festival, the 29th Joe Val Bluegrass Festival, presented by the Boston Bluegrass Union (BBU), will take place over Presidents’ Day Weekend, February 14-16, 2014, at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel, Framingham, MA. Year after year, this nationally acclaimed celebration of bluegrass music continues to win new converts while delighting seasoned veterans. Here's a great opportunity to hear some of the band's new lineup, album material and more. Capture Blue Highway with music from their latest project, The Game and Russell Moore with his new IIIrd Tyme Out Lineup. This will be an exciting program you won't want to miss.
published by BMNN on Thu, 01/10/2013 - 00:44
Boston, MA -- Bluegrass is a music with innovation woven into its very fabric: It’s founding generation drew proudly from traditional songs, ballads, and fiddle tunes, while enlivening them with daring instrumental techniques (Earl Scruggs’ pioneering three-finger banjo roll), new rhythmic foundations (including jazz and blues influences), and haunting high, lonesome harmonies. The 28th Joe Val Bluegrass Festival — presented by the Boston Bluegrass Union (BBU) on Presidents’ Day Weekend, February 15-17, 2013, at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel, Framingham, MA — is a celebration of bluegrass’s inspired blending of past and future.
published by BMNN on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 01:34
Boston, MA -- In 1962, New England musicians Jim Rooney (then a graduate student at Harvard University) and Bill Keith (stationed at the Boston Army Base) began performing regularly at Club 47 – now Passim. Rooney was the congenial frontman and vocalist, while Keith was a dedicated student of Earl Scruggs's banjo style. Their live performances, coupled with the release of their classic 1963 album Livin' on the Mountain, not only galvanized the nascent New England bluegrass scene – it also revolutionized bluegrass on an international scale, as word spread rapidly of Keith's remarkable new melodic banjo technique. Keith demonstrated this breakthrough – which enabled banjo players to play fiddle tunes note-fornote and subsequently inspired such groundbreaking pioneers as Tony Trischka and Béla Fleck – more widely the following year, when he hit the road as banjoist with Bill Monroe, the father of bluegrass music.
published by BMNN on Sun, 12/18/2011 - 00:38
Boston, MA -- In 1962, New England musicians Jim Rooney (then a graduate student at Harvard University) and Bill Keith (stationed at the Boston Army Base) began performing regularly at Club 47 - now Passim. Rooney was the congenial frontman and vocalist, while Keith was a dedicated student of Earl Scruggs's banjo style. Their live performances, coupled with the release of their classic 1963 album Livin' on the Mountain, not only galvanized the nascent New England bluegrass scene - it also revolutionized bluegrass on an international scale, as word spread rapidly of Keith's remarkable new melodic banjo technique. Keith demonstrated this breakthrough - which enabled banjo players to play fiddle tunes note-for-note and subsequently inspired such groundbreaking pioneers as Tony Trischka and Béla Fleck - more widely the following year, when he hit the road as featured banjoist with Bill Monroe, the father of bluegrass music.
published by BMNN on Thu, 08/25/2011 - 00:49
The Boston Bluegrass Union which holds the annual Joe Val Bluegrass Festival is holding a contest to design the artwork for the T-Shirts for the 27 event to be held February 17-19, 2012. The winner receives $150, a free weekend ticket to the festival, festival t-shirt with graphic, and recognition in the program book and elsewhere. Deadline is October 31, 2011.