Michael Nix and the New Classic Banjo Project Michael Nix performs on classical guitar, Banjar, banjo, and mandolin, throughout the United States and Asia; has recorded for the PBS series, "American Experience," several independent documentaries, numerous CD projects; and his compositions are performed internationally. His music has been heard on "Weekend Edition," and other NPR programs. A banjo innovator, Nix designed the Banjar; a modern seven nylon string banjo combining elements of the five-string banjo and classical guitar; bringing the classic finger-style banjo of the late 1800's into the twenty first century. His instrumentals, songs, and compositions draw from classic finger style banjo and guitar, infused with folk, jazz and world music traditions. The New Classic Banjo Project was instituted by Nix to develop and record a modern classical banjo repertoire. Nix’s compositions will form the core of the New Classic Banjo Project works. Compositions by composers will be commissioned on an ongoing basis for 7-string Banjar, the traditional nylon strung five-string classical banjo, the six-string guitar banjo and other banjo hybrids. Nix will record, publish, and perform the new repertoire in festivals, conferences, live and live-streamed concerts. Michael Nix offers two programs as one hour performances, or as a two set full concert: • A solo program of New Classic Banjo Project music on seven-string Banjar, five-string classic banjo, and gourd banjo. •A NixWorks Ensemble New Classic Banjo Project concert. Michael Nix collaborates regularly with: Gloria Matlock: singer, African-American influenced hand drumming Charlie Moser: Mandolin, Electric Mandola, Electric Bass Guest musicians may join the ensemble as the repertoire dictates. In 2017 Nix performed his compositions for New Classic Banjo at the Smithsonian Museum of American History in Washington, DC. Nix participated in Seegerfest 2014, and other concerts commemorating the life of Pete Seeger. In 2012 Nix performed American music at the Surin International Folkore Festival in Thailand with the Sorvino Dance Project. Nix toured as a member of the Monadnock Classical Guitar Duo, and as a soloist he was on the New Hampshire Touring Program for four years from 1979-1983. Throughout the 1980’s he was a featured performer for the Connecticut Classical Guitar Society’s Andres Segovia outreach program, "The Guitar About Town." In 1988, he performed at the Bushnell Hall in Hartford CT, commemorating a 1931 Andres Segovia performance with Madam Emilita Segovia as the honored guest. Nix was member of The Moser/Nix Duo, which formed in 1995, performing music and recording for mandolin and guitar. He founded The NixWorks Ensemble in 1999, a flexible chamber ensemble, to explore multiple creative influences and genre. Nix formed The Pioneer Consort in 2005, with violinist Chris Devine, and cellist Greg Snedeker to play World Chamber Music. He currently performs with Chris Devine as the Devine-Nix Duo. “Michael Nix takes the listener along on a new voyage with a completely different musical vessel. Listeners will discover a shimmering versatility.” —Ritchie Davis, The Recorder “… breathtakingly beautiful to hear.” –Peter Mix, “Acoustic Musician” Magazine www.michaelnixmusic.com
