New Deal

Banjo master Tony Trischka, known as a hot picker and avant-garde innovator, performs in Princeton Jan. 11.

By: Matt Smith
   En route to a gig, banjo master Tony Trischka likes to plan out that night’s set, ruminating about how to bring a different energy to his performance than the night before.
   When reached via cell phone on the Mass Pike traveling to Club Passim in Cambridge, Mr. Trischka notes that he’s wary of playing the same songs every night — both for his own sake and the audience’s.

Banjo master Tony Trischka has collaborated with everyone from Béla Fleck to late Beat writer William S. Burroughs.

   "I tend to get bored if I don’t get challenged on some levels," he says. "I just played in Boston a month ago and at Club Passim six months ago, so some of these people have heard the show before. When I’m driving I think about the songs and raps (with the audience) that work but try to guard against doing the same thing."
   Thoughtful and gracious in conversation despite numerous interruptions in phone service, Mr. Trischka says he’s made a conscious effort to experiment throughout more than 35 years as a performer. Known as a hot picker and an avant-garde innovator, he’s collaborated with Béla Fleck and the late Beat writer William S. Burroughs, composed theme songs, performed on soundtracks and even served as musical leader of a Broadway show (The Robber Bridegroom).
   He celebrated the holidays by taking part in "The Downtown ‘Messiah,’ " a rock/folk version of George Frederic Handel’s Baroque staple performed at The Bottom Line in New York City, teaming up to play old-time banjo as David Johansen (a.k.a. Buster Poindexter) sang "Rejoice."
   The Syracuse, N.Y., native lives across the Hudson River in Fair Lawn, partly for its proximity to New York. He’ll head down the Turnpike with a full band in tow for a performance at Triumph Brewing Co. in Princeton Jan. 11.
   The Tony Trischka Band, which includes a saxophonist, guitarist/vocalist, bass player and drummer, will focus on tunes from the 1999 album Bend (Rounder) and the forthcoming New Deal, scheduled for a late-spring release.
   The audience might get an old bluegrass nugget such as Earl Scruggs’ "Earl’s Breakdown," but will receive a larger helping of jazz-based electric jamming reminiscent of Bitches Brew-era Miles Davis, Weather Report and the Mahavishnu Orchestra.
   Mr. Trischka is excited about the tunes slated for New Deal, which he hopes to finish in the next couple of weeks, particularly for the guest spots from Johansen and sardonic singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III.
   The 52-year-old has recorded countless solo albums and been part of acclaimed groups but didn’t form a permanent ensemble of his own until Bend, culling accomplished players for his "bluegrass/rock/jazz band."
   He compares being in a group to marriage, noting that as a touring musician you end up seeing your bandmates more often than your spouse. In fact, he made a few personnel changes after the last album for that reason.
   "I’ve been lovin’ this band. We’re all simpatico personality-wise," Mr. Trischka says. "That’s always an issue. I’ve been in bands where I’ve been friends with the people for 20 years and then three weeks into the tour things can get a little tough."
   Mr. Trischka picked up the banjo in 1963 and landed his first paid gig the same year. He’s been touring nationally since 1980 but is down to about 80 gigs per year since getting domestic: his son, Sean, is 8; his daughter, Zoe, is 4.
   "I’ve been turning down work," he says. "If it’s too long a trip, it limits the amount of time you have with your family."
   His son takes piano lessons and has a guitar but seems more interested in becoming "the next Backstreet Boy," concentrating on hip-hop dance lessons. Mr. Trischka jokes that he may become a boy-band impresario in his retirement, but he’ll probably be too busy recording and performing — and teaching banjo.
   He’s known for his instructional books, video tapes and cassettes, and gives banjo workshops and private lessons. His teaching side comes from his father, a Syracuse University professor — and a love for what he does.
   "My father was a physics teacher. I didn’t follow in his footsteps, but it must be in the gene pool," he jokes. "I like sharing the knowledge, seeing players enter at the beginning level and watching them grow."
   Mr. Trischka is revered for his constant experimentation but remains amazed at how easy it was to shake up the banjo world. After all, he didn’t see anything crazy about incorporating Bob Dylan, Aaron Copeland or Stravinsky into straight-ahead bluegrass picking.
   "Growing up the ’60s, we said ‘Hey, let’s take chances.’ You’d get a banjo, synthesizer, saxophone or whatever and it didn’t have to be three chords. You’d get wacky stuff coming out of that mindset, but it didn’t take too much to break down walls."
The Tony Trischka Band plays the Triumph Brewing Co., 138 Nassau St., Princeton, Jan. 11, 10 p.m. Admission
costs $5. For information, call (609) 924-7855. On the Web: www.triumphbrew.com.
Tony Trischka on the Web: www.tonytrischka.com