KEN KOLODNER

About the Artist

As a major influence in the rebirth of the hammered dulcimer in the U.S., Ken Kolodner is widely recognized as one of today’s most accomplished dulcimer artists and a highly respected old-time fiddler.  He has performed extensively for over 25 years including with such artists as Helicon, Greenfire, Elke Baker and Jim Eagan. He has taught at music camps including Common Ground, Swannanoa Gathering, Meadowlark, Augusta, Kentucky Music Week, and the John Campbell Folk School.  He has been featured numerous times on The Thistle and the Shamrock, All Things Considered, NPR, the CBC, The Voice of America, and German National Radio. With ten recordings to his credit, he was also a featured soloist in an Emmy-nominated CBS Christmas special. Awards include “Best Seasonal Recording” in 1999 and a #1 World Music title for his album Walking Stones. Mr. Kolodner’s playing has been described as “nothing short of astonishing” by The Connection, and “outstanding” by The New York Times. He recently added the exotic hammered mbira to his concert performances.

Brad Kolodner, a first year communications and journalism student at Ithaca College, is a relative newcomer to the banjo. Having grown up surrounded by musicians, he has rapidly become an accomplished player.  He plays the Clawhammer in the method commonly called frailing, which is highly rhythmic and commonly used in American old-time music.

Past Performances

January 2, 2009

Known for his improvisational and expressive style, this hammered dulcimer player and old-time fiddler is “nothing short of astonishing” (The Connection).

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