Drew Emmitt
www.drewemmitt.com
Drew Emmitt, the dynamic lead singer and mandolin player with the popular jamband Leftover Salmon, is a musical renaissance man. If it has strings, Emmitt can probably play it. He performs and records on mandolin, fiddle, banjo, and acoustic and electric guitars; as well as harmonica and flute. Emmitt’s signature, however, is his energetic, original approach to mandolin, a style that reflects his pantheon of musical heroes: Lowell George, Steve Morse, Duane Allman, John Cowan, Bill Monroe, Sam Bush, Hot Rize and New Grass Revival. Picking up where New Grass Revival left off, Emmitt takes the contemporary approach to bluegrass tradition one step further, making the music feel effortless even as he adds new dimensions.
Following a decade of success with Leftover Salmon, Emmitt released his first solo effort, Freedom Ride, drawing on the talent of such peers as John Cowan, Peter Rowan, Sam Bush, Ronnie McCoury, Vassar Clements, Stuart Duncan, and Randy Scruggs. Critics and fans loved the collaboration, and Emmitt relished the chance to record with some of the giants with whom he’d shared festival stages. “It's amazing,” he said, “it's like walking in a dream. For years I had this dream of standing on stage next to them and having a good time. And it's happened. Standing on stage next to Sam (Bush) is pretty indescribable.”
This July 17, Compass Records releases Across The Bridge, Emmitt’s follow-up to Freedom Ride. With his sophomore solo release, the jamband leader proves equally impressive as a straight-ahead bluegrass man and songwriter. “This House,” a co-write with Jim Lauderdale on which Del McCoury sings harmony, is simply great bluegrass. Emmitt’s songwriting also shines on “All Night Ride” and “Cross That Bridge.” “Out In The Woods,” a Leftover Salmon staple, holds up brilliantly as an acoustic number. Emmitt is once again joined by his band - Matt Flinner (banjo, mandolin, bouzouki), Greg Garrison (bass, harmony vocals) and Ross Martin (guitar) as well as special guests Paul Barrere, Sam Bush, John Cowan, Jim Lauderdale, Del and Ronnie McCoury, and Stuart Duncan.
While Freedom Ride showcased the raw energy of a star-studded newgrass party, Across The Bridge features its three core musicians coming into their own as a band with a fundamentally organic CD. Emmitt's return to his bluegrass roots spotlights the strong foundation that has long supported Leftover Salmon, reaching out to every type of bluegrass fan.
After beginning his musical career in Nashville, Emmitt moved to Boulder, Colorado and founded progressive bluegrass ensemble, The Left Hand String Band in 1984. Six years later, Vince Herman’s serendipitous scramble for musicians to fill in a gig with his SalmonHeads yielded a glorious amalgam: Leftover Salmon.
Jambands.com recognized the flair of the front man right away, declaring, “Emmitt’s mandolin prowess and songwriting gifts are two particular sources of the group’s success.” As the band proved its staying power, Emmitt pioneered techniques for taking the mandolin into new territory by using combinations of overdrive, slides and foot pedals to emulate the sound of steel drums and electric slide guitar. His technical innovations, however, have never overshadowed his pure voice and heartfelt lyrics.