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Jan 10, 2023 · 1. Earl Scruggs by Rivers Langley ( CC BY-SA 3.0) One of the most famous banjo players has to be Early Scruggs who was born in North Carolina in 1924 and was a modern pioneer of the instrument.
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- Earl Scruggs. 1,216 votes. Earl Scruggs revolutionized bluegrass banjo with his signature three-finger picking style, a technique that revolutionized the genre and made him one of the greatest players ever to pick up the instrument.
- Béla Fleck. 888 votes. Béla Fleck stands out as one of the most stylistically diverse banjo players in history, with an impressive catalog that spans genres from bluegrass to classical, jazz, and beyond.
- J. D. Crowe. 376 votes. J. D. Crowe's innovative take on the bluegrass banjo style, dubbed "New South," elevated him to prominence among banjoists and earned him a lasting place in music history.
- Don Reno. 245 votes. Don Reno's infectious blend of precision, speed, and ingenuity contributed to his reputation as one of the most innovative and influential banjo players in bluegrass history.
- Earl Scruggs. Earl Scruggs, born in 1924 in North Carolina, is often hailed as one of the most influential banjo players of all time. His innovative three-finger picking style revolutionized bluegrass music, elevating the banjo from a rhythm instrument to a soloing powerhouse.
- Béla Fleck. Béla Fleck, born in 1958 in New York City, is a visionary banjo player known for his groundbreaking fusion of jazz, bluegrass, and classical music.
- Noam Pikelny. Noam Pikelny, born in 1978 in Illinois, has emerged as a leading figure in contemporary bluegrass music. Known for his virtuosic playing and adventurous approach to the instrument, Pikelny has redefined the possibilities of banjo in the 21st century.
- Tony Trischka. Tony Trischka, a banjoist, composer, and teacher from Syracuse, New York, has been at the forefront of banjo innovation for over four decades.
- Bela Fleck (1958 – Present) Bela Fleck is perhaps one of the most versatile and talented banjo players to ever walk the earth. If you are already familiar with the bluegrass scene, you have probably already heard the name as he has broken down the boundaries of traditional bluegrass with hints of jazz, blues, classical, bebop, and other styles in his banjo playing.
- Earl Scruggs (1924 – 2012) Earl Scruggs created the iconic “Scruggs style” banjo playing which is the standard for traditional and modern bluegrass music.
- Sonny Osborne (1937 – 2021) Sonny Osborne is another iconic American bluegrass picker from Kentucky that is famous for his cutting-edge banjo playing on famous traditional songs like “Cripple Creek” and “Rocky Top”.
- Tony Trischka (1949 – Present) While we have so far uncovered two of the traditional fathers of bluegrass, it is time to give praise to one known to many as the father of modern bluegrass – Tony Trischka.
Jim Mills. Jim mills is a bluegrass banjo player heavily influenced by Earl Scruggs. Mills plays in Scruggs’ “3 Finger Style” of banjo playing. Jim is also an expert on banjos historically speaking, and is particularly knowledgeable about pre-war Gibson banjos. Jim was the main banjo player for Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for 14 years.
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Jan 16, 2021 · ★ #1 Best Banjo Player Overall: Earl Scruggs ★. Best Bluegrass Banjo Player: Earl Scruggs. Best Clawhammer Banjo Player: Rhiannon Giddens. Best Progressive Banjo Player: Bela Fleck. Best Late Banjo Player: Earl Scruggs. Best Current Banjo Player: Noam Pikelny. SEE THE FULL LIST. The banjo draws me in because of its unique and penetrating sound.
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May 24, 2022 · If Scruggs is the most famous banjo player of all time, Trischka just might be the best. He is undoubtedly top 5. Often called the father of Contemporary bluegrass, Trischka has won a slew of awards and his name pops up pretty much anytime you are researching the banjo online, such a great influence on the community he’s had.
