Benny Bleu
Old Time Banjo
A lifelong inhabitant of the Finger Lakes hills, Benny Bleu’s music is as reflective of the place as the lakes themselves. His recent records 'Warm Prickly' (2019) and 'Swatting the Flies' (2021) are esteemed as “soft and swaying, breezy, country folk” (Rochester CITY Newspaper) and “a fresh voice that speaks to the roots of Country, Old Time, and authentic American music” (Bernunzio Uptown Music). Benny plays the banjo with a distinctive sound rooted deep in the traditional clawhammer style, influenced by the funky, rhythmic approach of players like Reed Martin and Richie Stearns. An instructor with an accessible teaching style he has helped many dozens of students find joy in the clawhammer technique which is beautiful in its simplicity. As a former faculty member at the Hochstein School of Music and Dance in Rochester, NY, and as an organizer of 'backyard banjo camps', his main goal is instilling the joy of groove in playing old time music, whether by yourself or with others.