
PREMIERE: Tray Wellington’s “Nightfall Rendezvous” [LISTEN]
PREMIERE: Tray Wellington’s “Nightfall Rendezvous”
We are so excited to bring the premiere of Nightfall Rendezvous, by banjo phenom Tray Wellington.
When we got our first listen of “Black Banjo,” we responded immediately with a resounding, “Hell Yeah!”
With guitarist Jon Stickley, acclaimed mandolinist Wayne Benson and bassist Kevin Kehrberg supporting Wellington throughout the album, “Black Banjo” is fresh and authentic, and will immediately find itself in rotation amongst our current favorites. But, we don’t anticipate this body of work fading any time soon.
On the instrumental tune, Nightfall Rendezvous, Wellington also enlists the talented Carley Arrowood on fiddle. Nightfall Rendezvous is a tightly-picked bluegrass heater that shows off the banjo skills of Wellington, as well as the talent of the entire band.
Of the album-closing track, Wellington says, “With a big theme of this album and what I do being influenced by progressive bluegrass, I wanted to finish out the album with something that had exactly that while also trying to make it unique and put some different timing ideas in it.”
Listen to Nightfall Rendezvous, and check out Tray Wellington’s Black Banjo in its entirety, available 5.13 on all platforms!

Young banjo player Tray Wellington has been coming on strong with high-profile career moves — hosting the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Momentum Awards ceremony at its annual convention, and then appearing on the organization’s Wide Open Bluegrass festival Main Stage; signing with boutique booking agency Prater Day; appearing on David Holt’s State Of Music series on PBS; earning coverage in publications such as The Bluegrass Situation, and issuing his first three singles with Mountain Home Music Company. Now, with the May 13 release of his full-length debut, he’s taking that momentum to a new level.
Boldly titled Black Banjo, the set ranges strikingly from old-time flavors through straight-ahead bluegrass and fresh newgrass to string band takes on two iconic jazz classics, John Coltrane’s “Naima” and Roy Hargrove’s “Strasbourg/St.Denis.” Wellington’s originals defy easy categorization, with tunes such as “Crooked Mind,” “Unknown Days Waltz,” “Georgia Turnaround” and a swinging vocal duet with Tim O’Brien, “Wasted Time,” weaving together elements of bluegrass, newgrass, old-time fiddle tunes, jazz and more to create a sound that is at once deeply rooted and refreshingly original.
To translate Wellington’s vision into a coherent yet multifaceted set, producer Jon Weisberger turned to a core band of players with their own broad-ranging musical perspectives: guitarist Jon Stickley, acclaimed mandolinist Wayne Benson and bassist Kevin Kehrberg, supplemented by a trio of players — Carley Arrowood, Avery Merritt and Lyndsay Pruett — equally comfortable as both fiddlers and violinists. In their hands, each tune is explored to the fullest on its own terms, but throughout, it’s Wellington who’s in command, with a sense of confidence rooted in his identity as a creative Black banjo player.
If there’s one thing Black Banjo makes clear, it’s that for Tray Wellington, his exploration of the world of music is just getting started.
Connect with and Follow Tray Wellington:
Greensky Bluegrass Announces “Camp Greensky Iceland” – June 2023, w/ Fruition, Holly Bowling, more!
Greensky Bluegrass announced “Camp Greensky Iceland” – June 3-5 in REYKJAVIK, with Holly Bowling & Fruition and after-parties with Neighbor and The ‘Lil Smokies.
Suwannee Spring Reunion Announces 2023 Lineup
Suwannee Spring Reunion announces lineup for 2023 festival in Live Oak, FL, March 23-26. Featuring The Infamous Stringdusters, Sam Bush, Leftover Salmon, more!
Blue Ox Music Festival Announces 2023 Lineup
Blue Ox Music Festival announces lineup for 2023 in Eau Claire, WI, June 22-24. Featuring Mike Gordon, Sam Bush, Avett Bros., Charlie Crockett, Infamous Stringdusters and many more.
Gem & Jam adds more than 40 multi-genre acts to stacked 2023 festival lineup
Gem & Jam Festival – February 3-5, 2023 at Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson, Arizona – announced the addition of new artists to already stacked lineup.
Red Rocks 2023 Concert Calendar
Red Rocks Amphitheater Schedule – the 2023 Red Rocks Concert Calendar, plus links to all the Red Rocks Guides.
2023 Grammy Nominees for Best Bluegrass Album
The 2023 Grammy Nominees for Best Bluegrass Album include Molly Tuttle, who is also nominated for overall Best New Artist.
Big Richard Delivers Monster Sold-Out Show to Kick Off Halloween
Big Richard kicked off Halloween Weekend in Denver with a sold-out “Goth at the Gothic” Theater show, with Pixie and the Partygrass Boys.
Vince Herman (Leftover Salmon) to Release First Solo Album: “Enjoy the Ride”
Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon is releasing his first solo album, “Enjoy The Ride.” The first single, “Lost Lover’s Eyes” is available now. Pre order the album.
WinterWonderGrass Announces Lineup for 10th Anniversary in Steamboat, CO
WinterWonderGrass announces 2023 lineup. Greensky Bluegrass, The Infamous Stringdusters, Leftover Salmon headline the 10th Anniversary: March 3-5, 2023, in Steamboat Springs, CO.