Bluegrass and the PLA

The Return of the Travelling Daughter: Abigail Washburn Brings her Banjo Back to Beijing

Those of you around last November might recall the brief Chinese-spiced bluegrass and old-time invasion of a four-piece outfit lead by banjo player and singer-songwriter (and former Beijing resident) Abigail Washburn. Those of you who weren’t may have heard of her imminent arrival. On this, her second China tour in just over a year, she’s backed up by a new full-length album (Song of the Traveling Daughter, on Nettwerk Records,) and a flurry of American (and Chinese) media attention

Her original take on traditional folk and old-time American music has an added twist: A melding of the musical and linguistic traditions of the Middle Kingdom. Two songs on her solo debut are original compositions with Chinese lyrics including the title track, a riff on the classic Meng Jiao poem 游子吟 (‘Song of the Traveling Son’).

This year, she'll be appearing with very special guest, eight-time Grammy winner Bela Fleck for a limited number of shows; at all four shows, Abigail will be joined by fiddler Casey Driessen (who also came last year) and cellist Ben Sollee.

Gig schedule and links:

Friday, November 18
With Iz
South Gate Space
4 Jiuxianqiao Lu (798 Art District south gate) 6437 9737
RMB50 (40 for students)
8.30pm
Soundcheck/rehearsal w/Iz: 3.30pm

Saturday, November 19
With Hangai
Yu gong yi shan
1 Gongti Beilu (at rear of Gongti Parking Lot) 6415 0687
RMB50
9.30pm
Soundcheck/rehearsal w/Hanggai 4.30

Wednesday, November 23
4pm
Master’s Class/performance
Midi School of Modern Music
Rui wang fen, Haidian District 6259 0101/0007/0008
RMB30 (Midi Students free)
Pick-up at 2.30

Thursday, November 24th
Icehouse
53 Donganmen Dajie Xipei Lou, Next to Huafu International Hotel
6522 1389
RMB 50
9:30 pm

Saturday November 26
Peking University Hall (South side of library); www.pku-hall.com, 6275 2279, 6275 8452
RMB20-150
For tickets: Piaowutong or 6406 8888/9999;
Fusheng Record Shop SE corner of Ping'anli intersection (Ping'an Dadao and Xinjiekou): 6613 6182;
Yu Gong Yi Shan, 1 Gongti Beilu (north end of parking lot opposite north gate Workers' Stadium): 6415 0687