Artists

Urban Renewal Bluegrass. Their core is guitarist Ed Munafo, a former jazz educator; KBEM's host of Bluegrass Saturday morning, banjoist Phil Nusbaum; and bass player Karen Van Norman, who used to play the trombone in her high school marching band. Whether they play as a trio or as a quartet, all band members sing, and they feature the hard driving bluegrass you expect to hear at a bluegrass show, progressive instrumentals, and bluegrass interpretations of jazz standards, and the best of country and pop. Urban Renewal Bluegrass came into existance in the early 1990's, and the current band has played for about five years. With their broad backgrounds in music, they have played traditional bluegrass festivals, the stages of town celebrations, cocktail and other private parties, and multi-genre festivals. Interested venues should contact Phil at his email address or by phone, and ask to hear a sample of the bands music.