Pete and Joan Wernick and Justin Hoffenberg have returned from headlining the first-ever Russia-America Bluegrass Jamboree. The event took place July 20 and 21, 2010 in the cities of Vologda and Semenkovo in "deep Russia", an overnight train east from St. Petersburg. Many of the following photos, and the text below are courtesy of Robert Palomo, an American musician living in St. Petersburg, who played bass with Pete, Joan, and Justin.
From Pete:
It's great to be back home, and to have had such a wonderful trip. We were treated very well by our hosts, and the audiences really took to the bluegrass. A lot happened in one week, and I was especially glad to get acquainted with several Russian bluegrass musicians. We played together several different times, and I had the chance to offer some bluegrass help to both of the bands we met.
Bringing the sound of bluegrass this far (10 time zones) is something I'm sure Bill Monroe would have approved of. The hunch of the the U.S. Consulate, that this music might connect two distant cultures turned out to be true.
This 15 year-old girl is a good picker, and the banjo I'm signing is borrowed as she has none, and lives in an orphanage. Liza will be getting a new Brian Friesen Eagle Banjo from the Deering company later this year, supported by the Friesen family. The presentation will be made in Moscow. That is exciting! Our trip was arranged expressly for the purpose of bridging the gap between Americans and Russians. Thanks to all the positive attention we got, from concertgoers, from the media, and from the various officials in the Consulate world, both American and Russian, it seems it was a successful effort. I felt a serious responsibility, representing America to such a large number of Russians, and representing bluegrass music as well.
Full story, many photos and some video can be found at DrBanjo.com
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