© 2024 | Jefferson Public Radio
Southern Oregon University
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, OR 97520
541.552.6301 | 800.782.6191
Listen | Discover | Engage a service of Southern Oregon University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

JPR Live Session: Tony Furtado (2022)

Ways To Subscribe

The singer/songwriter and banjo virtuoso has just released Decembering, his first true banjo record since his early recordings on Rounder Records thirty years ago.

Tony Furtado made his first instrument - a banjo - as a 6th grade school project. That pie tin, rubber band and stick led to a lifelong love of the instrument. As he played more, he got better. Much, much better. Being better led to even more enjoyment of the banjo.

Now, more than 30 years into a lauded award-winning career, the slide guitar and banjo virtuoso has returned to his first love with the new album called Decembering. Less a 'folk' album and more of a deep exploration of all of the styles of music banjo can occupy, Decembering was made in isolation with a remote team of stellar partners: Luke Price, Tristan Clarridge, Toddd Sickafoose, Rob Berger, Mike Marshall, Matt Flinner, Scott Amendola and more.

During our session, we talked about the history of the instrument, Furtado's successful sculpture series, and how he's forging ahead as a musician staring down yet another rash of concert cancellations due to the pandemic.

As FM Network Program Director and Music Director, Eric oversees many aspects of JPR's broadcast day. He still hosts the occasional Open Air or classical music shift, and is the driving force behind JPR Live Sessions - our popular series of live in-studio music performances and conversations.