Bryan Sutton | |
|---|---|
 Sutton (second from right) playing guitar in 2022, in support ofBela Fleck's albumMy Bluegrass Heart. | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 1973 Asheville, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Origin | United States |
| Genres | Country,bluegrass |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar Banjo Mandolin |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Labels | Sugar Hill |
| Website | www |
James Bryan Sutton[1] (born 1973) is an Americanmusician. Primarily known as aflatpickingacoustic guitar player, Sutton also playsmandolin,banjo,ukulele, andelectric guitar. He also sings and writes songs.
Sutton's grandfather and father were regionally recognized fiddlers, and Sutton grew up playing in the family band, the Pisgah Pickers. In 1991, he played guitar forKaren Peck and New River, a gospel group. In 1993, he moved toNashville.[2][3]
Sutton first came to prominence in 1997 as lead guitarist inRicky Skaggs' bandKentucky Thunder when Skaggs returned tobluegrass. Sutton eventually left the band to focus on session work.[4]
Bryan was asked to join the bluegrass quartetHot Rize in 2002. He has toured and recorded with them ever since, and has only missed one show since they re-formed.[5]
In addition to Skaggs and Hot Rize, Sutton has toured with theDixie Chicks,Jerry Douglas,Sam Bush,Béla Fleck,Hot Rize,Chris Thile,Tony Rice and others.[6]
In 2007-08, Sutton toured withChris Thile & The How to Grow a Band, a project which later turned into thePunch Brothers.[7]
Bryan is one of the most in-demand session players in Nashville, and recently produced a record for Della Mae and the Cash Cabin. His style is a unique blend of staccato mixed with powerful chromatic and melodic movements which is integrated into the more common bluegrass, blues and folk leads that are common to the genre.[8]
In June, 2011 he launched theOnline Bluegrass Guitar School with Bryan Sutton, as part of theArtistWorksAcademy of Bluegrass.[9]
In 2013, Sutton recorded the albumReady for the Times withT. Michael Coleman andDavid Holt. They recorded the album as a tribute to Doc Watson.[10] The trio got together in 2011, and have performed frequently under the name Deep River Rising.[11]
ForAlmost Live, Sutton was joined by 17 guest musicians, includingBéla Fleck (banjo),Jerry Douglas (resonator guitar),Russ Barenberg (guitar), Chris Thile (mandolin), andStuart Duncan (fiddle).[7]
Sutton's albumInto My Own featured guestsBill Frisell (guitar),Ronnie McCoury (mandolin), andNoam Pikelny (banjo).[3]
On 2016'sThe More I Learn, Sutton continued to develop and showcase his singing and songwriting skills. The album prominently features Bryan Sutton Band members Casey Campbell (mandolin), Mike Barnett (fiddle), and Sam Grisman (bass).[12]
Bryan supportsBourgeois Guitars and performs regularly with his own signature model, aBourgeois Bryan Sutton Limited Edition. He also uses a Bourgeois "Country Boy DeluxeArchived 2015-10-04 at theWayback Machine" modeldreadnought, and a Bourgeois "Banjo KillerArchived 2015-10-04 at theWayback Machine" slope-shouldered dreadnought, which is another model directly inspired by Bryan. He also regularly performs with a 1940Martin D-28.[3]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
