Denver - Formerly known as the Live Five, Pete Wernick & FLEXIGRASS blazes new trails every time they play, delivering a supercharged blend of bluegrass mixed with classic jazz. On Friday, August 17 at 8 p.m., they will celebrate their new release, What The, at Swallow Hill Music Association. The new album spotlights Joan Wernick on vocals and features several Wernick originals, plus great takes on classics like "Snowbird" and "Blackberry Blossom." FLEXIGRASS is the brainchild of Colorado's own bluegrass legend and Grammy nominee, Pete "Dr. Banjo" Wernick. Wernick is renowned worldwide for his contributions to bluegrass music, including numerous albums and touring around the world with groundbreaking bands he founded, Hot Rize and Country Cooking. In addition, he is a bestselling author, songwriter, teacher, and long-term president of the International Bluegrass Music Association.

FLEXIGRASS features Wernick's combination of bluegrass-style banjo, with clarinet, vibraphone, bass, and drums—a mix of both traditional and modern elements of American roots music. The band's captivating sound is woven by all-stars from bluegrass and traditional jazz: Greg Harris (vibraphone), Bill Pontarelli (clarinet), Kris Ditson (drums), Roger Johns (bass), and Joan Wernick (featured vocalist). Surprising rule-based traditionalists is nothing new to Wernick. Based on a thorough knowledge of musical tradition, he has long followed the lead of important innovators by fusing compatible sounds. Fans from Béla Fleck to George Winston have sung praises about the band, and the press has described their music with phrases like: "fundamentally futuristic," "beguiling and instantly accessible" and "wildly enjoyable."

About Swallow Hill Music Association:
Helping people make and enjoy music since 1979, Swallow Hill Music Association is the largest institution of its kind west of the Mississippi as a source for folk, roots and acoustic music. With more than 2,100 members, Swallow Hill provides a place to celebrate music that is rarely heard elsewhere in the Rocky Mountain Region. Three concert venues house more than 200 performances a year, featuring some of the world's great artists as well as up-and-coming new talent. The Julie Davis Music School at Swallow Hill provides a valuable and affordable extra-curricular educational resource to the community with more than 60 music instructors involved in more than 240 adult classes and 70 children's classes annually.

# # #