For a band that has been turning heads in the bluegrass world for over 40 years, Seldom Scene is hardly what their name implies.
Since the days when they began playing together at weekly jam sessions in Ben Eldridge’s Bethesda, Maryland, basement, The Seldom Scene have become one of the single greatest contributors to the progression of bluegrass while setting a new standard and attracting new audiences to the genre. Their legendary weekly DC-area residencies included bluegrass versions of country music, rock, and even classical pop.
The band’s popularity soon forced them to play more than once a week—but they continued to maintain their image as being seldom seen, and on several of their early album covers were photographed with the stage lights on only their feet, or with their backs to the camera. As it was from the beginning days with signature tenor singer John Duffey, the band is still known for its soaring, incredibly tight, vocal gymnastics.
Today the band features founding member Ben Eldridge on banjo, Dudley Connell on guitar, Fred Travers on dobro, Lou Reid on mandolin, and Ronnie Simpkins on bass. The Seldom Scene have performed at the White House many times, and continue to tour year-round.
Sometimes irreverent, always entertaining, the Scene’s legend continues growing into the 21st century.
Visit valleyarts.org or call 540.433.9189 for more information and to buy tickets.
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Chris Graham
