Stringdusters, Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers

By Aaron Davis (for JHWeekly.com)Jackson Hole, Wyo.-There’s a feeling in my bones, a pulsating catalyst for the upcoming string of quality shows at the Pink Garter Theater. The room itself is a breath of fresh air for which to consume music, and this week stages three kick-ass bands – Diego’s Umbrella, The Infamous Stringdusters, and Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers.Another reason to get excited is a quality co-bill. We just don’t get a lot of co-bills here in Jackson, and The Stringdusters paired with Bluhm and her band is of the super. Both bands are independent and campaigning to raise funds to support their respective projects.The Infamous Stringdusters have not been strangers to Teton County since playing Targhee Bluegrass Fest in the summer of 2008. The Nashville-based quintet burned up two nights at the Knotty Pine last spring followed by another visit to the bluegrass festival last summer, which was relayed to me by a handful of fans as the best set of the three-day weekend.Basically, they are killing it right now. Impressive pickers in the progressive bluegrass realm are not uncommon, but this band seems to have the bold and daring gene that carried Leftover Salmon so far. Though all members cut their teeth on bluegrass, the boundaries of its composition have taken them into other avenues of string music. The Stringdusters tune “Magic No. 9,” from the 2010 release, Things That Fly (Sugar Hill Records), was nominated for a 2011 Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental.On top of that, the band’s earned numerous awards from the International Bluegrass Association, started its own music festival, and returned to the “indie” world by starting its own record label, High Country Recordings. The 2011 live release, We’ll Do it Live, showcases the band at full steam.“We are a lean, mean operation and sort of in no-man’s land in terms of figuring it out on our own and having our own label, but that’s something that’s really worked for us,” said banjoist Chris Pandolfi on a Music Business Radio podcast back in November. “We had some great experiences with Sugar Hill, but ultimately, we are the kind of band that it makes sense to be on our own.”Those familiar with the band will find one less member than previous tours. Mandolin player Jesse Cobb announced his departure in October and has not been replaced.If you’ve not heard of Nicki Bluhm, she’s the other half of Tim Bluhm (founding member of The Mother Hips and a member of Nicki’s band). Nicki’s sound on Driftwood (2011) puts her in the same league as 70s-era Linda Ronstadt – great songwriting, floaty melancholy grooves, and seductive vocals over bluesy and country stylings.The Bluhms played an under-the-radar duet show at the Knotty last summer during The Mother Hips tour through Teton Village. Be sure to put this one on the radar, because Nicki is a late bloomer that has every bit of the potential of a young Grace Potter.Poppa Presents features The Infamous Stringdusters with guests Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers, 9 p.m., Tuesday, at the Pink Garter Theater. Tickets are $12/advance or $15/day-of, available at PoppaPresents.com and Pinky G’s. Also keep an eye on Half-Off Jackson Hole (halfoffjh.altperks.com) for cheap tickets. tags: jackson hole show music musician live band singer songwriter nightlife concerts wyoming center arts photographer planet teton venues screen door porch boondocks guitar