Blue Spruce
The Cherry Blossom Carousel concert series is back and with good cause! Local favorites and bluegrass raconteurs Cherry Blossom Special and Blue Spruce will team up to raise funds for ReString Appalachia. As a non-profit they are doing amazing work replacing instruments lost in hurricanes Helene and Milton. All proceeds from ticket sales will go to ReString Appalachia so they can continue their Amazing work.

Blue Spruce


Hailing from the Washington, DC area, Blue Spruce delivers dynamic traditional, modern, and original bluegrass.
“I can’t recommend this band highly enough. Pass up Blue Spruce and you will be sorry!”—Frank J. Owens, President, Randy Carter Chapter, Float Fishermen of Virginia
Formed in 2010, Blue Spruce features Andrew Tontala (vocals, guitar), Barb Diederich (vocals, mandolin, bass), Shige Takeshita (vocals, banjo), Dave Goldman (fiddle), and two-time Bluegrass Hall of Fame inductee Tom Gray (vocals, bass, mandolin).
Spruce is a total ear popping delight... a refreshing icon in the bluegrass community. You won’t be disappointed!”—Jim Mattingly - Post Commander/Entertainment Chairman, American Legion Wheaton Post 268
Ranging in experience from Tom, with over six decades of playing bass, to Andrew, who took up the guitar during the Covid pandemic, all members of Blue Spruce share a deep passion for bluegrass music and its vibrant community.

Their material is an eclectic mix ranging from timeless bluegrass classics like Bill Monroe and the Stanley Brothers to contemporary artists like Molly Tuttle and Billy Strings, along with heartfelt originals written by Barb and Tom, making their music accessible to both enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.

Blue Spruce delivers crowd-pleasing performances tailored to a variety of events, from private parties and weddings to outdoor festivals and school programs. Known for their strong musicianship, tight harmonies, and engaging showmanship, the band consistently captivates audiences and earns praise for their professionalism.
“An authentically magical and musical quality.”—John McLarty, Washington, DC
Blue Spruce is currently working on their first album, Dust in Blue.

Details

Date
Sat, March 15, 2025
Time
6:00 PM EST
Location
Takoma SPARK
7112 Willow Ave
Takoma Park, MD 20912
Price
$35
Register for March 15 Concert

CHERRY BLOSSOM SPECIAL

Drawing from the rich history of Washington D.C.’s acoustic music sphere, the folk quintet’s compositions and arrangements seek to go beyond storytelling. Rather, the group uses their vibrant music to examine the complex spectrum that blends tradition and innovation, begging the question, what do the stories we tell say about ourselves?

Award-winning vocalist and mandolinist, Nick Cameron , brings technical proficiency that allows them to pen sharp and forward thinking arrangements. Banjoist and lyricist, Gabby Cameron, pulls songwriting inspiration from her ethnomusicological scholarship, having been named the 2022 IBMA Neil Rosenberg Bluegrass Scholar for her groundbreaking research in Jewish bluegrass music. Cellist, Sophie Chang, brings rhythmic vitality through her experience as a versatile contra dance musician. Enhancing the group’s genre ambiguity, Mari Carlson’s playing styles range from traditional Swedish fiddle to keen jazz violin. Guitarist, Justin Heath, offers the group a mellow and intuitive tone, bridging his harmonic insight from jazz and tango with bluegrass flatpicking.

Cherry Blossom Special