Album Notes

I’ve watched and listened to Alex develop since first hearing him at (his) age ten. He plays with wit, authority and soulfulness belying his years. In my opinion, he’s destined to be one of the fiddle giants of the 21st century. — David “Dawg” Grisman


With an open minded enthusiasm for all varieties of string music, from folk to jazz to classical, seventeen year-old Alex Hargreaves has already more than proved his musical mettle, sharing the stage with an eclectic array of artists that includes David Grisman, Mark O’Connor, Chris Thile, Sean & Sara Watkins, Tim O’Brien, Noam Pikelny, David Bromberg, Darol Anger, and Mike Marshall.
Internationally acclaimed violinist Anger heaps high praise on Hargreaves. “Alex Hargreaves, in another era, on another continent, would probably have been Mozart. For jazz, there’s no other fiddle player I’d rather listen to, and to play music with him is like having a younger, smarter version of yourself supplying all the insanely cool musical ideas you wish you’d thought of.”
Marshall, who tapped Alex to join him on 2009’s Mike Marshall’s Big Trio (along with another young phenomenon, bassist Paul Kowert,) says that Hargreaves is “Arguably one of the greatest improvising violinists in America today.” Audible proof of Marshall’s support can be heard on Prelude, Hargreaves’s solo recording debut for Adventure Music America. The CD, which features guest performances from Bela Fleck and Noam Pikelny, includes several of Alex’s original compositions, as well as spirited interpretations of songs by Stevie Wonder, John Scofield, and Pat Metheny.