Beyond bluegrass: Punch Brothers defy genres through collaboration

“We’re always trying to strike a balance,” said Punch Brothers banjo player Noam Pikelny by phone. “We have a reputation for working up covers that surprise people. We love playing our versions of other people’s material and certain songs have become part of the band’s identity. But original music is still the driving force behind this band.”

ARTS Pick: WTJU’s Annual Folk Marathon

The WTJU Folk Marathon stays true to its roots by offering a wide range of special programming such as Western swing, Scandinavian folk, Cumbia Cumbia, and entire shows dedicated to the subtle art forms of accordion, bagpipe, and yodeling music.

ARTS Pick: Patricia Barber Quartet

The Patricia Barber Quartet’s titular namesake is instantly recognizable; as a pianist and composer, she is widely hailed as one of the most imaginative on the scene today.

Prestigious pianist Misha Dichter at the Tuesday Evening Concert Series

To say Misha Dichter is a living legend would actually be an understatement. The first major accolade of his five decade-spanning career came in 1966 at the tender age of 20, with a surprise silver medal at the 1966 Tchaikovsky Competition as a virtual unknown, and on that day his star began an ascent that would include international critical acclaim, prestigious honors including the hallowed “Grand Prix International du Disque Liszt” for his Liszt piano transcriptions, various influential recordings, and collaborations with essentially every major orchestra on the planet.

Live review: Yo La Tengo at The Jefferson Theater

Yo La Tengo has set the DIY standard for a subset of indie music listeners for more than 20 years, innovating, experimenting without compromise—with a unique ability to recognize its own art form—and the critics’ darlings can still deliver the goods.

ARTS Pick: Sally Rose Band

Led by the vivacious, talent-packed Miss Rose, and held tight by the high lonesome harmonies of her classically trained cellist momma, The Sally Rose Band is a band of versatile influences that comes to play.