We’ve posted a few times recently about the upcoming Rounder project from banjoist Tony Trischka, Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular. It features Tony paired in the studio with some of the most celebrated banjo players alive, including Earl Scruggs, Bela Fleck, Bill Emerson, Tom Adams, Noam Pikelny, Scott Vestal, Kenny Ingram and even comedian-cum-banjo picker Steve Martin.

The CD is due for release on January 23, and Tony has been out touring this month in support of the project. Last Friday (1/12), Tony brought his double banjo show to The Kennedy Center Millenium Stage in Washington, DC. Noam Pikelny supplied the second banjo, and they were supported by Michael Daves on guitar, Brittany Haas on fiddle and Skip Ward on bass.

The concert was recorded, and the video can be viewed online at the Kennedy Center web site. It’s an hour long video (in Real Media format), so save some time when you can linger over the performance.

There are actually three Trischka shows which can be viewed on The Kennedy Center site - the Trischka/Pikelny concert from last week, plus shows from 2001 and 2004.

On another Noam-related note: we found a piece on the John Cowan Band site that included a Detroit Free Press obituary for Noam’s grandfather, Nate Shapiro, who passed away earlier this month. Mr. Shapiro was a prominent and admirable member of the Detroit community, and his life is recounted in brief in the obituary.

Our condolences go to Noam and his family as they mark Mr. Shapiro’s passing.