The 16 th Annual Joe Val Bluegrass Festival returns to the Dedham Holiday Inn, Dedham, MA Friday, February 23rd through Sunday, February 25th. Started in 1985, the Festival celebrates the legacy of the late Joe Val, one of the pioneers of bluegrass in the Northeast. The 16th edition of the festival that bears his name continues the tradition of showcasing the finest music of the genre, including The Lynn Morris Band , Mountain Heart , Bob Paisley and The Southern Grass , The Kruger Brothers , The James King Band, Wayfaring Strangers featuring Tony Trischka, Matt Glaser, Andy Statman, Skip Gorman , Adam Dewey and Crazy Creek , Gopher Broke Bluegrass , The Bagboys , Howie Tarnower and Boston City Limits , Jim and Jenny and the Pinetops , and Back Eddy Bluegrass . This year we pay special tribute to The Lilly Brothers , founding fathers of bluegrass in the Northeast. Joining the Lilly Brothers in performance will be banjo legend Bill Keith .
Special workshops take place throughout the weekend.
On Saturday, there will be a banjo workshop with Jens Kruger, guitar with Uwe Kruger, and mandolin with Skip Gorman. Sunday will feature a banjo workshop with Bill Keith and vocal harmony with the Paisleys. There will also be workshops for beginner bluegrass players. The Joe Val bluegrass Festival began in 1985 as a benefit concert to jelp Joe and his family with his mounting medical bills. Shortly afterh fundraising event, Joe passed on, and this festival was established as a tribute to this fine individual whose warm heart and powerful high tenor voice won the love and respect of his fellow musicians and fans.