Under the auspices of the U.S. Embassy, the well known bluegrass band from Tennessee, Mountain Heart, visited Montevideo to perform three live concerts at the Prado agricultural fair last week (September 3, 4 and 5), as part a tour aimed at introducing a genre of music born in the United States to the people of South America.

The group played a diverse repertoire of bluegrass music with strong influences from gospel and country music and jazz. The highlights were the excellent vocals by the lead singer Steve Gulley and the extraordinary display of instrumental virtuosity by the lead guitarist Clay Jones along with violinist Jim Van Cleve. Not to be outdone, Bassist Jason Moore who belies his youth with a deep well of experience and mastery of bluegrass. Adding to the vibrant energy of the group, Barry Abernathy, winner of 1997's Banjo Player of the Year award from the Society for the Preservation of Blue Grass Music in America whose banjo playing defies logic, considering he has no fingers on his left hand.

The performances were very well received by the Prado audiences, which averaged from 200-300 people each night. The five musicians all hail from the heart of Bluegrass Country, coming from Tennessee, North and South Carolina and northern Georgia.

Since the Prado Fair resembles many country fairs in the U.S., their music was an excellent fit and they all felt quite at home performing for the Uruguayan audiences.

Mountain Heart on stage at the Prado Fair

Band members (Jason Moore, Jim Van Cleve, Clay Jones, Steve Gulley, and Barry Abernathy) pose with Uruguayan musician Jorge Nasser (bottom left), and Mr. Oliver Griffith (top center) from the U.S. Embassy Montevideo

 

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