Transatlantic Sessions welcomes Molly Tuttle to the lineup

The young, up-and-coming star of bluegrass will be on the bill at the Cambridge Corn Exchange on Wednesday, February 6, alongside the likes of Gretchen Peters, Tim O'Brien, Cara Dillon, and Paul McKenna.

Molly has played Celtic Connections, the annual Scottish festival, before, but this will be her first time at Transatlantic Sessions - the annual showcase of folk, bluegrass and country which features a 'house band' led by co-musical director Aly Bain and dobro virtuoso, Jerry Douglas.

Crowned as the first ever female IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association Awards) Guitar Player of the Year in 2017, 25-year-old Californian Molly Tuttle also picked up 2018’s AMA Instrumentalist of the Year, plus Song of the Year at the International Folk Music Awards.

Recently arrived in the UK, she spoke to the Cambridge Independent from Glasgow. "I've known Jerry Douglas for a few years now," says Molly, "and I've been a fan of his for a long time.

"I've watched tons of videos of the Transatlantic Sessions and I've always dreamed of doing it - I'm really excited."

She continues: "I'm really interested in what sort of collaborations they're going to be... I haven't started rehearsing my songs yet, but I can't wait to hear what sort of arrangements they'll do on my songs, and I can't wait to hear other people's songs too with the whole band."

Of the main artists in the lineup, Molly, a singer, songwriter, banjo player and guitarist, is only acquainted with Tim O'Brien. "I really don't know anyone else on the bill," she says. "It's going to be fun to meet everyone and hear everyone play for the first time."

On the popularity of bluegrass, Molly says: "I think it's expanding a lot, the genre's getting broader and encompassing more different styles.

"People are taking bluegrass elements and infusing them into different things, which is really cool. I think that's helping the genre reach more people, for sure."

Molly's debut solo album, When You're Ready, will be released on April 5 and she will be returning to the UK shortly afterwards.

Transatlantic Sessions takes place on Wednesday, February 6, at 7.30pm.

Tickets: £32, £24

cornex.co.uk