Artists:Dunton Sisters

Dunton Sisters

Bluegrass music revolves around singing, and the Dunton Sisters band revolves around the exceptional vocal power of Jen Dunton, on guitar, and Bev Dunton, on mandolin. A lifetime of singing together has yielded a similarity of tone and phrasing, resulting in some of the most amazing harmonies ever heard in bluegrass. Both sisters are also accomplished flautists and have performed with their mother, Gae, in a classical trio.

Gae Dunton is the quiet, unassuming matriarch of an incredibly musical family. She has passed on her musical talents to all eight of her children, and to her 23 grandchildren. As well as being musicians, many are also gifted artists. Besides her crucial role of anchoring the Dunton Sisters band on string bass and harmony vocals, Gae also plays piano and violin and is the director of her church choir.

Michael Savatgy has been playing five-string banjo since he was a young boy. As a teenager in the L.A. area, banjo seemed an unusual instrument of choice, but as Michael points out: Southern California in the 70s was a hot bed of great bluegrass music. I was lucky to be exposed to some very influential and innovative musicians at such an early age. Michael has refined his playing into a unique driving yet bouncy and melodic style. His original compositions reflect a swingy Latin or Gypsy influence.

Bryan Thurber started classical violin at age nine, discovering the world of bluegrass and fiddle tunes in his twenties, after moving to Bellingham, Washington. At that time, the area was overflowing with acoustic and folk music. He has performed as a soloist and with many regionally known bluegrass and contra-dance bands over the years. A licensed ferry captain, he lives on a small island near Bellingham.