Banjo Master Tony Trischka Brings Holiday Cheer to Club Passim

Roots music fans are in for a seasonal treat as the highly influential banjo artist Tony Trischka prepares to bring his holiday-themed show to Club Passim on Thursday, December 4. This concert is billed as a banjo-driven celebration of the season, where Trischka turns his formidable melodic inventiveness loose on classic Bluegrass and Americana music, weaving in a diverse collection of highly textural, and sometimes long-forgotten, holiday songs.

Trischka, widely considered to be the consummate banjo artist and perhaps the most influential banjo player in the roots music world, has spent more than fifty years inspiring a whole generation of bluegrass and acoustic musicians. His singular stylings have allowed him to explore the many "voices" of the instrument, forever expanding its profile within American culture.

A Banjo Legend's Journey

The path to banjo mastery began for Trischka with a spark of inspiration: the Kingston Trio's 1959 recording of “M.T.A.” As a young enthusiast, he immersed himself in the New York-centered folk revival, making his pilgrimage to the Newport Folk Festival in the early to mid-’60s. By the early ’70s, he had moved to the city and was immediately a driving force in the scene, finding his purpose alongside other young masters like mandolinist Andy Statman and fiddler Kenny Kosek.
Beyond his groundbreaking performances, Trischka’s tireless efforts as an educator and his high-profile collaborations—notably with his friend and fellow banjoist Steve Martin—have been instrumental in elevating and transforming the banjo’s standing.
His recent work continues to garner acclaim; his latest album, Earl Jam: A Tribute to Earl Scruggs, earned a nomination for a 2025 Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album and features an all-star lineup of bluegrass giants.

Ticket Information

Tony Trischka’s Holiday Show is set for Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. at Club Passim, located at 47 Palmer St., Cambridge, MA 02138. Tickets are $37 and are on sale now at passim.org.

About Passim: The mission of Passim is to provide truly exceptional and interactive live musical experiences, to nurture artists, and to build a vibrant, inclusive music community through its legendary listening venue, music school, artist grants, and community programs. Operating as a nonprofit since 1994, Passim continues the heritage of its predecessors, the historic Club 47 (1958-1968) and the for-profit Passim (1969-1994).