Abigail Washburn
Abigail Washburn - a singing, songwriting, Illinois-born, Nashville-based clawhammer banjo player—pairs venerable folk elements with far-flung sounds of the Far East. Her latest release City of Refuge (2011), takes her bold and expansive musical vision to new heights, with raw, ethereal and at times lushly orchestrated songs the album that, the New York Times calls a collection of "enigmatic songs" that "mingle Appalachia and folk-pop, with tinges of Asia and Bruce Springsteen." Washburn is one of the few foreign artists who tours China independently and regularly and endeavors to unite cultural understanding and the communal experience. As a testament to her musical endeavors, Abigail, along with 24 other innovative and creative thinkers worldwide, was named a TED fellow this year and presented at the 2012 TED Convention in Long Beach.
Website: abigailwashburn.com