Tony Trischka Biography

Tony Trischka is an American banjoist. He was born in Syracuse, New York and was inspired to play banjo in the 1960s, listening to the Kingston Trio. In the mid-60s he joined the Down City Ramblers, then joined Country Cooking and Country Granola. In 1973 he joined Breakfast Special.

Tony was musical leader for the Broadway production of The Robber Bridegroom. By now he was much in demand as a session musician and played with all the notable "new acoustic" musicians, including David Grisman, Stacy Phillips, Tony Rice, Mike Marshall, Darol Anger, Jerry Douglas and Jack Tottle.

Tony was banjo teacher to Béla Fleck, regarded, along with Tony, as one of the world's top banjoists.

In the early 1980s he formed the band Skyline, and toured with them for most of the 1980s. He also had a stint accompanying John Denver.

His film scores include Foxfire and Driving Miss Daisy. He has made numerous radio and television appearances.

In the late 90s, Trischka teamed up with David Grier, Darol Anger, Mike Marshall, and Todd Phillips as "Psychograss" and formed a new band, whose debut album Bend explored yet more territory uncharted by banjo.