Tony Ellis

A veteran of Bill Monroe's early-'60s edition of the Blue Grass Boys and the National Council for Traditional Arts' acclaimed 1993 Masters of the Banjo tour, the North Carolina native is able to drive the five-string with the best of them. Tony also has deep roots in old-time music, having had a long musical association with legendary fiddler Tommy Jarrell and others.

Tony's music combines elements of bluegrass, 18th century parlor music, minstrel banjo, steamboat calliopes, Irish music, ragtime and more. His unique compositions have been used by Ken Burns in several documentaries. Most recently Tony appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman alongside Steve Martin and Earl Scruggs. Among Tony's many album credits are four acclaimed albums of original compositions: Dixie Banner, Farewell My Home, Quaker Girl and his most recent The Quest.