Dr. Banjo and Flexigrass
The latest release is now available from Pete Wernick & Flexigrass, previously billed as Live Five. The title, What The, is surely evocative of the reaction they often get when audiences first realize that Pete and his 5 string banjo are fronting a band made up of bass, drums, vibraphone and clarinet.
What The includes 14 tracks, mixing new Wernick originals with popular classics from both the traditional string music and jazz/swing libraries. They describe their music as “a mix of both traditional and modern elements of American roots music.”
Members of Flexigrass are Greg Harris (vibraphone), Bill Pontarelli (clarinet), Kris Ditson (drums), Roger Johns (bass) and Pete Wernick on banjo. Joan Wernick guests on vocals.
There is one audio track from the CD, and several video clips of the band up at Dr.Banjo.com, Pete’s web site. Samples of all 14 tracks are available at CD Baby.


Pete Wernick & FLEXIGRASS have been getting rave reviews of their brand new CD, What The (Niwot Records). This inspired combination takes its ingredients from the best of bluegrass, swing and modern jazz. Pete's clear ringing banjo rolls, set over agile drums, trades licks with clarinet master Bill...
Pete Wernick, a.k.a. Dr. Banjo, has long been regarded as one of the pre-eminent banjo instructors in bluegrass music. His book, Bluegrass Banjo, published in 1974, has sold over 200,00 copies and taught thousands to become banjo pickers over the last 30 years. Together with Tony Trischka, he compiled...
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