This Saturday, December 18, 2021, master musicians and members of the ArtistWorks bluegrass faculty, Mike Marshall and Darol Anger will be performing alongside the WDR Big Band, one of Germany’s preeminent musical ensembles and a jazz orchestra that is highly regarded worldwide.

As a result of the pandemic, the event will take place without an audience. However, the concert will be streamed live over the internet beginning at 11:00 am PST on December 18 here, and will be available completely free for all viewers.

The concert’s theme is “Bluegrass Meets Jazz,” and will feature ten original compositions by bluegrass mandolin master Mike Marshall and fiddle icon Darol Anger. The pieces were selected and arranged for the 30-piece ensemble by Bob Mintzer, WDR’s chief conductor and long-time member of the legendary American jazz-fusion quartet, The Yellowjackets.

LEARN MORE: Want to learn how to play bluegrass mandolin from a master musician like Mike Marshall? Try some free online mandolin lessons now!

“Bob went through all of our albums and hand-selected ten of his favorite tunes from our catalogs and arranged them for the big band,” Mike explains. “Darol and I are both beyond excited! The musicians in the group are all top players from Germany, and it’s sure to be a wonderful event.”

While the bluegrass and jazz genres both have their unique qualities, there are many parallels between the two styles. Both forms of music thrive on their driving energy, concise rhythms, and combination of pre-written and improvised performances.

LEARN MORE: Want to learn fiddle from a master musician like Darol Anger? Try some free online fiddle lessons now!

“The music of Mike Marshall and Darol Anger is rooted in the bluegrass tradition, but goes much further in terms of composition and playing technique,” Mintzer explains. “The music is melodious, lively, and interesting in form and course. I've found a lot in common between the two genres, and I think it all goes well together. When you add the big band to the two soloists, the music definitely takes on a different note.”

To tune in and learn more about the “Bluegrass Meets Jazz” livestream featuring Mike Marshall, Darol Anger, and the WDR Big Band, click here.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MANDOLIN & FIDDLE LESSONS AT ARTISTWORKS:

Have you always wanted to learn how to play bluegrass mandolin or fiddle? Through our comprehensive online mandolin lessons or online fiddle lessons and Video Exchange Learning platform here at ArtistWorks, you can learn from internationally renowned players, like Mike Marshall and Darol Anger, and get personal feedback on your playing.

Mike and Darol’s courses each start with the basics and teach everything from beginner mandolin and fiddle to advanced performance techniques and tunes. So, whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player, all levels are welcome and all students will grow and improve their skills as mandolinists or fiddlers, and as musicians!

Try out some free sample music lessons here and see what makes ArtistWorks courses some of the best online music lessons around!

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