The Boston-based Hickory Strings duo performs original compositions for mandolin and banjo. Blending elements of jazz, bluegrass, classical, world, and folk music, Hickory Strings creates a unique brand of modern American chamber music. The resulting compositions and improvisations are unclassifiable. The music is inspired by bluegrass crossover artists such as Bela Fleck, Chris Thile, David Grisman, and Edgar Meyer. In the words of National Mandolin Champion, John McGann: "Adventurous without sounding “experimental”, flowing without rambling aimlessly, these well conceived melodies are delivered with the panache and fluidity found in jazz and bluegrass, combined with the classical composer’s sense of balance and form, but yielding something greater than the sum of those stylistic parts. This music is easy to listen to, but light years from “easy listening”, as it balances memorable melodies with the sound of surprise."
