Bruce Molsky
Recording Artist · Active 1989–present · The Bronx, New York City · brucemolsky.com · Also a musician
Old-Time (Traditional)
Old-Time (Contemporary)
Bruce Molsky is the preeminent old-time fiddler of his generation — a Bronx-born, largely self-taught musician who immersed himself in Appalachian fiddle and banjo tradition, spent time with elder sources including Tommy Jarrell, and became one of the few old-time players to build an international career. His solo albums on Rounder, Compass, and other labels, along with his prolific teaching and collaboration work, have made him a central figure in the Appalachian old-time revival.
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- Grew up in the Bronx; attended Cornell University in engineering. Took up old-time fiddle in college and later made trips to Virginia and North Carolina to study with Tommy Jarrell, the Round Peak fiddler whose legacy shaped a generation of younger players.
- Worked as an engineer for many years before transitioning to full-time musician in the mid-1990s.
- Solo catalog includes Warring Cats (Yodel-Ay-Hee, 1993), Lost Boy (Rounder, 1996), Poor Man's Troubles (Rounder, 2000), Contented Must Be (Smithsonian Folkways, 2004), Soon Be Time (Compass, 2006), The Musician (Tree Frog, 2008), and If It Ain't Here When I Get Back (Tree Frog, 2013).
- Plays solo fiddle, banjo, and guitar in an old-style — often with voice accompaniment in archaic ballad tradition. His repertoire draws from Jarrell, Hobart Smith, Henry Reed, and other source fiddlers.
- Member of the Grammy-winning band Fiddlers 4 (with Darol Anger, Michael Doucet, Rushad Eggleston). Also worked extensively with Childsplay, Mozaik (with Andy Irvine and Donal Lunny), Brittany Haas, and Matt Glaser.
- Collaborated with Andy Irvine on Mozaik and Changing Trains; with Mari Black, Rachael Aucoin, and the band Big Hoedown; with Scottish fiddler Aoife Ni Bhriain on Some of Us Do (2023).
- Founding faculty member at the Berklee College of Music's American Roots Music program and a long-running instructor at the O'Flaherty Irish Music Retreat, Swannanoa Gathering, Augusta Heritage, and other workshops.
- Has played with Bela Fleck on multiple projects including My Bluegrass Heart (2021), which won a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album.
- Widely cited as the most important conduit between old-time fiddle tradition and contemporary acoustic music — an influence on Brittany Haas, Rayna Gellert, Tatiana Hargreaves, Anna & Elizabeth, and countless fiddlers who came after.
- Named one of NPR's 50 Great Voices in 2010. Continues to record, tour, and teach internationally.
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Bruce MolskyPlayed on recordings with Bruce Molsky
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Audrey MolskyPlayed on recordings with Bruce Molsky
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Dirk PowellPlayed on recordings with Bruce Molsky
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Beverly SmithPlayed on recording with Bruce Molsky
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Rafe StefaniniPlayed on recording with Bruce Molsky