John Rossbach has a powerful and compelling voice that evokes the many moods and magic of traditional American roots music. An award-winning multi-instrumentalist, he can lift you with the lilt of an old time mandolin melody, rivet you with a lowdown slide-guitar blues and fire you up with a driving banjo breakdown! John's egregious puns and outrageous tall tales thrill audiences of all ages.
Originally from the mountains of West Virginia, John gained valuable road experience with several established Ohio and Kentucky bluegrass bands before relocating to Central New York in 1984. He has led his highly-acclaimed traditional bluegrass ensemble, John Rossbach & Chestnut Grove, up and down the Eastern Seaboard since 1986. John has recorded with Mac Benford and The Woodshed All Stars on Rounder Records, the largest independent roots label in the world. He has received eight Meet the Composer awards and appeared on numerous radio and television programs for the Nashville Network, PBS, CBS, the BBC, and the Canadian Broadcasting System.
John's new release "From The Mountains To The Mills" showcases several solo, duet and trio combinations in addition to quintet performances by Chestnut Grove and The Woodshed All Stars. John has recorded on the Rounder, Copper Creek, Chestnut, Marimac, Wizmak and Alcazar labels. He appears on CDs and videos ranging from Celtic to rock by Bill Keith, Ken Perlman, Don Stover, The Back Alley Boys and Jolie Christine Rickman. John is the staff guitarist for Midwest Banjo Camp and for Mandolin Camp North, Banjo Camp North and Old Time Camp North. He has worked with the prestigious Augusta Heritage Center in West Virginia for twelve years. John has performed at the Philadelphia Folk Festival, the Chautauqua Institution, the Champlain Valley Folk Festival, Old Songs, Wheatlands, Winterhawk, Ashokan, the Brandywine Mountain Music Convention and the West Virginia Appalachian Stringband Festival.
THE PRESS:
"His voice is strong and sure and carries well!"
--Sing Out!
"John Rossbach is a perfect cross between John Lee Hooker and Bill Monroe."
--"Tomcat" Kinny
"John Rossbach is one of the best guitarists around."
--Fiddler Magazine
"He can flat burn it on the mandolin and guitar."
--Bluegrass Unlimited
"Sweet waltzes, hard-driving work songs, and Carter Family classics so rich it's
like listening to a trio!"
--Charlene Meyers, The Cranberry Coffeehouse
"His knowledge of the history of American music is phenomenal. What a wonderful
job he does of getting it across!"
--Annette Schweiger, Tioga County Council On The Arts
JOHN ROSSBACH "NEVER WAS PLUGGED!"
"A great collection of the acoustic stringed-instrument sound.
Enthusiastically recommended!" --In Tune Magazine
"The music is exceedingly friendly!" --The Chicago Tribune
"This delightful new disc depicts a musician with a command over the entire American acoustic panorama. The terrific original instrumentals are stunning enough to stop listeners in their tracks." --The Syracuse New Times
With:
THE WOODSHED ALL STARS "WILLOW"
"Luckily, Mac Benford and the Woodshed All Stars continue as the finest string band in America. For impressive instrumentals and lovely vocals this is a no-risk disc."
--The New York Post
"Vocally and instrumentally, you will have to go a long way to find a more entertaining listening experience."
--Bluegrass Unlimited
AS A TEACHER:
Teaching Artist and Repertory Member:
Five years with The CNY Institute for Aesthetic Education
Two years with The CNY Community Arts Council
Performances and workshops and in over 200 schools
The Augusta Heritage Center
The Chautauqua Institution
ElderHostel
ON THE NETWORKS:
The Canadian Broadcasting System
The Nashville Network
PBS, CBS, and The BBC
AWARDS AND ENDORSEMENTS:
5 Time Winner of the Syracuse Area Music Awards
Recipient-NY Foundation for the Arts SOS Award
NYSCA Folk Arts, POP, and Decentralization Program grants
New York State Department of Education
Young Audiences Rochester
Imagination Celebration
Meet the Composer
BOCES
FOR BOOKINGS CONTACT:
John Rossbach
503 Allen Street
Syracuse, NY 13210
(315) 422-0718