16 year old Bluegrass banjo & guitar prodigy Ettore Buzzini and his band of young bluegrass superstars have a decidedly GenAlpha take on traditional Bluegrass, true to its soul but refreshingly new & vibrant. Ettore’s musical roots run deep in his mother's Appalachian Hills of Tennessee, the Piedmont of North Carolina and the high mountains of his father’s Swiss-Italian village. In the heart of traditional mountain music, Ettore made a name for himself not only as a musical prodigy on banjo and guitar, but also by winning the Young Songwriter's Contest at Carolina in the Fall when he was barely 11 years old. Since then, he has continued to turn heads with his growing talent, emerging as a preeminent youth talent in songwriting and composition, bringing a completely fresh, deeply soulful, spiritual perspective to traditional bluegrass that has been called “Béla Fleck meets the Avett Brothers”.
Ettore's songwriting evokes vivid and haunting emotional imagery, providing a window into the hearts of his generation. From the courage of a young warrior reckoning with the ultimate battle; to an undocumented immigrant enslaved to the cartel; to a simple lament of love and heartbreak, his lyrical themes lay bare a spiritual angst far beyond his years. His powerful lyrics are layered on a fertile bed inventive, virtuosic musicality. Eschewing the “bluegrass adjacent” and “jamgrass” drift of recent years, Ettore's bluegrass composition is structured, and his inspired songwriting, combined with fast-pitch, virtuoso picking, soulful harmonies, and traditional bluegrass drive make for a riveting experience.
This once-in-a-generation combination of talents garnered Ettore a record deal at age 14, and has made him one of the hottest rising stars in Bluegrass music today. On social media, this up-and-coming musical star is followed by Billy Strings, Jeremy Garrett (Infamous Stringdusters), and other music influencers. With performances at venues like Merlefest, Tosco Music Party, Woodsongs, FloydFest, IBMA Streetfest, and WDVX Big Plate on the agenda this year, his star is soaring.
