Acoustic instrumental music has never been so beautifully represented as by Alison Brown. As one of the most multi-faceted minds on today’s roots music scene, every one of Alison’s endeavors is marked by innovation, intelligence, and grace. As a banjo player, she throws out the textbook when it comes playing the banjo and the result is a sound that blends the rugged drive of bluegrass with the harmonic sensibilities of jazz, earning vast acclaim and a Grammy award in the process. On Friday, June 13, Alison returns to the historic Opera House in Boothbay Harbor to perform with her band.

Alison took an unusual path to becoming an internationally recognized banjoist. After completing her undergraduate studies at Harvard University and receiving an MBA from UCLA, she pursued a career in investment banking. But she missed the bluegrass music she’d grown up playing in Southern California so much that when Alison Krauss called looking for a banjo player, she made the decision to give up her Wall Street career to pursue music. She toured with Alison Krauss and Union Station, and Michelle Shocked before forming her own group, The Alison Brown Quartet, in 1993.

Since that time, Alison and her band have been winning over traditionalists and mainstream music fans alike with her unique style. They have toured extensively throughout the US and abroad with stops at some of music’s most prestigious venues including The Kennedy Center, Newport Folk Festival, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, MerleFest, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Philadelphia Folk Festival, FreshGrass, The Cambridge Folk Festival (England), Celtic Connections (Scotland), Dublin National Concert Hall (Ireland), Galway Arts Festival (Ireland) and Verbier Music Festival (Switzerland).

She has recorded 12 critically-acclaimed solo albums, receiving a Grammy award and multiple Grammy nominations along the way. Alison is also the co-founder of the internationally recognized roots music label Compass Records Group which Billboard Magazine has called “one of the greatest independent labels of the last decade.” She currently serves on the Board of the Nashville Chapter of the Recording Academy, on the adjunct faculty of Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music and as co-chair of the Steve Martin Banjo Prize.

Alison was so taken by the history of the Opera House that she wrote a song for the Opera House “Banjo Homecoming Rag” and has performed it on her 1894 banjeaurine - the same year the Opera House was built.

Don’t miss the chance to hear this extraordinary talent. Advance discounted tickets are $35 and available directly from the box office at 86 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor, or by calling 207-633-5159. The box office is open Wednesday – Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Regular tickets are $40 and available online at boothbayoperahouse.com, and on the day of the show at the door. Doors for seating open at 7 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:30.