Artist Tony Furtado

Portland, Oregon resident Tony Furtado has made a name for himself as one of the most impressive banjo players in bluegrass. Furtado began his career as a sideman in California but, after relocating to Colorado, he began blending vocals and languid slide guitar with his banjo picking, and the contrasting styles combined into a remarkable new sound. His albums—including 2008’s Deep Water and 2011’s Golden—exemplify his unique approach, but in a live setting the music is considerably more energized; see his 2005 live disc Bare Bones for proof.

Updated 09/28/2011