Mandolin Virtuoso Sam Bush brings “Newgrass” to KU Presents!

KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Founding member of the New Grass Revival in 1971, Sam Bush was a forerunner of the “newgrass” genre that took traditional bluegrass and turned it into an electrified alternative with long jams and rock-and-roll songs. Sam Bush Band will take the stage as part of KU Presents!, 7:30 p.m., Wednesday Oct. 5, at Kutztown University’s Schaeffer Auditorium.

With New Grass Revival, Bush released chart-climbing singles, won three Grammy awards and was the backing band for Leon Russell. He went on to collaborate with artists including Emmy Lou Harris’ Nash Ramblers, Lyle Lovett and Bela Fleck before going solo. Best known as mandolin virtuoso, but master of fiddle and guitar, Bush was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for Instrumentalist by the Americana Music Association in 2009.

Tickets are $42; $36 for students and seniors and can be purchased at KU Presents or by calling the KU Presents! Box Office 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, at 610-683-4092.

Come early for a Bluegrass Jam on Schaeffer front lawn led by Berks Fiddle Fest starting at 6:30 p.m. The jam is free to the public.

Established to be the center of cultural life at Kutztown University, KU Presents! serves the campus and community by bringing world-class live arts that entertain, educate and enrich.