Special to the Express
Fronted by vocalist and flutist Nell Robinson and singer, guitarist and 6-string banjoist Jim Nunally, the Nell & Jim Band plays originals co-written by Robinson and Nunally and a few country and folk covers, all presented with a sound that combines bluegrass, country, Americana and acoustic rock.
The Nell & Jim Band will return to The Palms Playhouse, 13 Main St., Winters, on Friday, March 6 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $22 in advance, $26 at the door and $12 with student ID.
Nunally’s credits include the David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, John Reischman & The Jaybirds, a duo with Keith Little, the annual Banjo Extravaganza and more. An acoustic guitarist known for his rich tone, fast runs and economy of movement, Nunally is also a country and bluegrass singer and songwriter, and recently added 6-string banjo to his musical arsenal.
Nunally has won two Grammy certifications and two International Bluegrass Music Association awards as a guitarist. He is a two-time Western Open Flatpicking Guitar champion.
Heralded by American Songwriter magazine as having a voice “somewhere between Emmylou Harris and Patty Griffin,” Robinson has recorded three solo albums and a duo album with Nunally. Her “Rose of No-Man’s Land” show aired nationally on PBS as part of the “Music Gone Public” series.
Robinson and Nunally’s musical partnership began when Nunally co-produced an album by Robinson in 2010. They then recorded “House & Garden” (2013), harmonizing “in the vein of the Everly Brothers” (Billboard). They’ve played together at the Kennedy Center, on “Prairie Home Companion,” and at major festivals such as Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Folk Alliance International, Kate Wolf Music Festival and Strawberry Music Festival.
The quintet includes Jim Kerwin (Jerry Garcia, Yo-Yo Ma, David Grisman) on upright bass, Alex Aspinall (Chris O’Connell, Bobby Black, Blackie Farrell) on drums and percussion and Rob Reich (Tin Hat, Gaucho, Circus Bella) on accordion and keys.
The band’s latest album, 2019’s, “Steel,” was produced by John Cuniberti (Joe Satriani, Sammy Hagar) and was inspired by the musicians’ Northern California roots.
The title cut is an ode to Nunally’s former life as a welder. The medley of traditional songs “Shady Grove” and “Matty Groves” is a nod to the countless times Nunally and Kerwin played “Shady Grove” while performing with David Grisman.
The band is currently finishing a new album, “Western Sun.”
The quintet previously released four EPs and one album, 2017’s “Baby Let’s Take the Long Way Home,” and appeared on PBS’s “Music Gone Public.”
Tickets are available at Pacific Ace Hardware in Winters, Armadillo Music in Davis, Davids’ Broken Note in Woodland, online via The Palms’ website and Eventbrite, and at the door if not sold out.
For more information, visit palmsplayhouse.com and nellandjim.com.
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