Olli Chanoff - FreshGrass Foundation

Olli Chanoff - FreshGrass Foundation

Author: Matt Hutchinson November 20, 2024 Duration: 45:58

My guests this week is Olli Chanoff, Director of Programming at the FreshGrass Foundation.

So much music I love has its roots in FreshGrass Commissions, from albums like Becky Buller's Jubilee, Sarah Jarosz's Blue Heron Suite and Aoife O'Donovan's All My Friends, to instrumental works by Sierra Hull, Jerry Douglas and Jacob Jolliff. So I was delighted to get the opportunity to chat to Olli about how FreshGrass goes about commissioning these works, why they support the FreshGrass Foundation's mission and what the process is like. 

We also talk about FreshGrass's fantastic work to support and promote roots music and artists, including their festivals, FreshScores film commissions and their involvement in the Steve Martin Banjo prize.

I really enjoyed this conversation - I hope you do too!

Find out more about FreshGrass's mission and what's coming next at https://freshgrassfoundation.org

Happy picking,
Matt

Support the show

===

Thanks to Bryan Sutton for his wonderful theme tune to Bluegrass Jam Along (and to Justin Moses for playing the fiddle!)


Bluegrass Jam Along is proud to be sponsored by Collings Guitars and Mandolins

- Sign up to get updates on new episodes

- Free fiddle tune chord sheets

- Here's a list of all the Bluegrass Jam Along interviews

- Follow Bluegrass Jam Along for regular updates:

- Review us on Apple Podcasts


Hosted by Matt Hutchinson, Bluegrass Jam Along is an IBMA Award-winning conversation that feels like pulling up a chair in the middle of a lively, expert picking session. It’s built for anyone with an ear for the intricate stories and sounds of bluegrass and old-time music, going far beyond just the recordings. Each episode brings thoughtful interviews with the people who shape the scene, from legendary performers like Alison Krauss and David Grisman to the skilled instrument makers and writers whose work forms the foundation. You’ll hear from voices such as Sierra Hull, Tim O’Brien, Jerry Douglas, and Sarah Jarosz, discussing craft, history, and the personal journeys behind the music. Alongside these deep conversations, the podcast weaves in updates on new releases and notable news, keeping you connected to the evolving string band world. The result is a rich, weekly listen that offers both education and genuine camaraderie, mirroring the collaborative heart of a jam itself. Tune in to this podcast for an authentic and engaging exploration of the music, hosted by someone deeply embedded in its community.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 516

Bluegrass Jam Along
Podcast Episodes
Joe K Walsh - Less is More, Conversation and Space in Music [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:25
My guest this week is Joe K Walsh.Joe plays mandolin with several projects, including Mr Sun (featuring Darol Anger, Grant Gordy and Aidan O’Donnell); the Mike Block Trio; a duo with Matt Flinner and a trio with Ella Jor…
Bluegrass Briefing June 30th 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:08
Welcome to this week’s Bluegrass Briefing, a weekly series of episodes taking a look at what’s going on in the world of bluegrass.Here are the links to stuff mentioned in this episode.News and Announcements (Church Stree…
Bluegrass Briefing June 16th 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:32
Welcome to this week’s Bluegrass Briefing, a weekly series of episodes taking a look at what’s going on in the world of bluegrass.Here are the links to stuff mentioned in this episode.News and Announcements (Church Stree…
Bluegrass Briefing June 2nd 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:28
Welcome to this week’s Bluegrass Briefing, a weekly series of episodes taking a look at what’s going on in the world of bluegrass.Here are the links to stuff mentioned in this episode.News and Announcements (Church Stree…
Celebrating Norman Blake's 'Whiskey Before Breakfast' with Bob Minner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:53
My guest this week is Bob Minner and we're celebrating one of the most iconic flatpicking records of all time - Norman Blake's 'Whiskey Before Breakfast'.We chat about Bob first hearing this record and why he loves it so…