Chris Pandolfi

Musician · Denver, Colorado · chrispandolfi.com

Chris Pandolfi is a New York-bred banjoist who became the first banjo principal admitted to Berklee, founded The Infamous Stringdusters in 2006, and won the 2018 Best Bluegrass Album Grammy with the band — a Dartmouth Environmental Studies grad whose podcast "Inside the Musician's Brain" probes the careers of contemporary roots greats.

Assisted by AI. Spot something off? Help us fix it.
  • Grew up in the suburbs of New York City (Briarcliff/Westchester County); started banjo around 1997 after seeing Béla Fleck and the Flecktones.
  • Earned undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies from Dartmouth College.
  • First-ever banjo principal admitted to Berklee College of Music (attended 2001–2003).
  • Founding member of The Infamous Stringdusters (2006–present), originally based in Nashville.
  • Won Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album in 2018 with the Stringdusters for "Laws of Gravity" (plus multiple Grammy nominations).
  • Relocated to Denver, Colorado in 2013, where the band is now based.
  • Hosts the podcast "Inside the Musician's Brain," featuring guests like Béla Fleck, Billy Strings, and Sarah Jarosz.
  • Co-founder of side project Bluegrass Generals with bandmate Andy Hall; active producer for bands including The Kitchen Dwellers.

Roulette Settings

Calculating…
Popularity
Type
Genres
Bluegrass
Folk
Country
Old-Time
Other
Popularity
Difficulty
Type
Key
Featured Instruments
Origin

Share Playlist