Music on the Mezzanine: Virtuoso Banjo Duo Willow & Jesse

Music on the Mezzanine departs from its usual performance/lecture format to explore the wildly eclectic and collaborative ethos that is the Knoxville music scene.  Taber Gable, one of the bright and shining stars of that scene, will be our host as he presents musicians from various musical genres performing and talking about their work. 

The series starts on Sunday, January 14 with the virtuosic banjo duo, Willow and Jesse.

Willow Osborne started playing banjo at age 4. Gary “Biscuit” Davis, the four-time International Banjo Champion, became her teacher and friend. Born and raised in Pigeon Forge, her first stage experience was at Dollywood where she held lead roles in several musical productions. She has performed with Rhonda Vincent, the U.S. Navy Bluegrass Band, and Pat Flynn. 

Jesse Blue Eads was on-track for a degree in jazz until the banjo bug bit him and his life took a dramatic turn.  He traveled from California and ended up in East Tennessee where he met Willow Osborne--the two became partners in music as well as in life. 

Taber, Willow, and Jesse met working on the Appalachian Sessions, a concert TV series that focuses on young musicians in the region. “Willow and Jesse’s musical experience is the polar opposite of mine,” Taber said, “but the way we talk about music and our dedication to the art is the same.” 

Music on the Mezzanine is made possible by an Arts Build Communities grant from Arts & Culture Alliance and Tennessee Arts Commission.