Biography
Ed Kramer is a virtuoso 5-string banjo player from Denver. Though deeply imbued with bluegrass style and techniques, he “pushes the envelope” with ventures into jazz, blues, classical, and other non-traditional genres for this instrument.
Ed has performed with a number of acoustic groups, including Bluejazz, Railroad Bill, and the Rounders. He also records and tours with traditional folksinger Hank Cramer. Ed and Hank have recorded two albums together. Their most recent collaboration of cowboy music is titled “Way Out West”, nominated by the Western Music Association as the Traditional Album of the Year for 2007.
Although best known as a 5-string banjo player, Ed is equally adept at many other folk instruments. These include mandolin, dobro, guitar, and tenor banjo.
Ed’s recent performances include The Pine Stump Symphony (Washington); Northwest Folklife Festival (Seattle); Black Rose Acoustic Society (Colorado Springs); Sharlot Hall Festival (Arizona); Lake Erie Maritime Museum (Pennsylvania); Rhythms of The River (Pennsylvania); and Tumbleweed Festival (Washington).
He can be reached at whimsicalbanjo@msn.com, by phone at (303) 561-3590, or through Ferryboat Music, PO Box 22, Winthrop, WA 98862.
Instrumentation
Ed Kramer: 5-string banjo, tenor banjo, guitar, dobro, mandolin
Discography
Hank Cramer: West By Northwest (CD, 1997)
Various Artists: Pine Stump Symphony (Concert DVD, 2006)
Kit McLean: Horses (DVD Soundtrack, 2007)
Hank Cramer: Way Out West (CD, 2007)