BB and Alex (USA)

Born and raised on the other ends of the earth, Alex Rubin and Catherine “BB” Bowness were brought together by a shared love of traditional acoustic and roots music. Though they would take strikingly different paths, the two ultimately ended up finding each other along with a love of traditional and more progressive folk music.

Born in the small town of Marton, New Zealand, BB spent her early years working and living in her family's Fish-and-Chip shop. New Zealand would offer BB her first introduction to the banjo, sparking a lifelong love and fascination. A world away from the heart of bluegrass, BB spent much of her childhood teaching herself the instrument, and through dedication and tenacity became New Zealand School of Music's first banjo student and graduate.

Meanwhile, Alex was raised near Boston, USA, attending Cornell University on a neurobiology degree, but teaching himself acoustic guitar all the while, inspired by his father’s love of traditional American folk and bluegrass music. After university, Alex toured as a sideman and as a full-time band member of the April Verch Band, an old-time Canadian trio.

When BB headed to America in 2012 to co-found her current bluegrass band, Mile Twelve, the two met while immersing themselves in the vibrant Boston roots music scene, jamming and striking up a musical friendship and a marriage. Although, they maintain extensive individual touring schedules as members of different bands, they perform and tour as a duo whenever they can in the Northeastern USA.

Currently they live in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Alex has toured extensively both at home and internationally, including performances in 49 states and a number of countries including Canada, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Estonia, Australia and New Zealand. BB’s band, Mile Twelve, have won numerous International Bluegrass Music Association awards, including 2020 New Artists of the Year and 2017 Momentum Band of the Year. BB won the 2015 Freshgrass Banjo contest and was a winner of the Steve Martin Banjo Prize in 2020.

For this concert they will present an array of mostly traditional, mostly American style folk and progressive bluegrass music. As their interests have expanded over the years, so too has their repertoire and you will hear classics from the American pantheon as well as some classical music, world music, and other varieties.

Bookings:
- accepted before the day of the show
- email bluegrass@xtra.co.nz
- include your name, phone contact and the number of tickets required
- you will receive a reply by email to confirm your booking
- there are no booking fees nor any additional fees for this event

Notes:
- door sales on the day, at the venue, from 7:50 pm
- seating is general admission
- ticket includes complimentary tea and coffee
- free parking available by or near the venue
- licensed bar at venue (no BYO allowed)

Doors open at 7:20 pm for those who have booked.