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Akira Otsuka on John Duffey [Interview Video]

Akira Otsuka discusses his introduction to bluegrass music and co-producing Epilogue: A Tribute to John Duffey, which features contemporary renditions of classic Country Gentlemen and Seldom Scene tunes, as done by the contemporary masters of bluegrass. On the album, Akira contributes the track "First Tear."

John Duffey's influence on bluegrass cannot be overstated. His contributions to legendary bands The Country Gentlemen and The Seldom Scene helped transform the genre from a regional Appalachian music to a sophisticated, urban sound, resulting in a legion of new fans the world over. On Epilogue, the bluegrass music community comes together to create a marvelously fitting tribute to “the father of modern bluegrass.” Sam Bush, John Cowan, Bela Fleck, Bruce Molsky, Tim O’Brien, Don Rigsby, and so many more—it’s a rare and special all-star cast. Their eagerness and passion to record the album attest to how profoundly Duffey impacted them and countless other musicians today. 46 minutes, 44-page booklet with extensive notes and photos.