Steve Martin Banjo Prize

Allison de Groot is one of the most highly regarded clawhammer banjoists on the North American folk scene. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Canada, she has deep roots in old time music and delights in bringing her own contemporary sensibility to the banjo tradition.

Her playing is characterized by an ability to seamlessly navigate between delicate melodic lines and powerful driving rhythm adding an emotional depth to her sound. Allison is a frequent collaborator with notable musicians in the old-time and roots music scenes, including fiddler Tatiana Hargreaves with whom she recently received 2 Canadian Folk Music Awards and a Juno nomination.

Along with performing and recording, teaching banjo has been a big part of Allison’s musical life, and the recent launch of her online teaching school on the ArtistWorks platform is a continuation of her educational pursuits. About the banjo, Allison says: “It still feels just as exciting as it did the first day I picked it up....I feel like I could live 100 lifetimes and explore the banjo.”