Mandolin Music

The mandolin is probably most familiar today as a bluegrass instrument, but it has a long history in other types of music from classical to blues.

The Siegel-Schwall Blues Band was popular in Chicago in the late 1960s, and the principals (Corky Siegel and Jim Schwall) have been performing ever since. This number was originally performed by Gus Cannon's Memphis Jug Band

Bill Monroe was the "father of Bluegrass Music" and the master of the mandolin.  Blue Moon of Kentucky was his signature number.  In this rendition, he begins in his original 3/4 time, and then switches to a rockabilly finish based on Elvis Presley's cover (Blue Moon was the B side on Elvis's first single): 

Yank Rachell played electric mandolin in the Chicago blues scene from the 1950s into the 1990s: 

Ricky Skaggs is perhaps the best known contemporary mandolinist (with the possible exceptions of Sam Bush and David Grisman; see below), performing here with Marty Stewart and several other virtuosos: 

Homer and Jethro were known for their humorous and novelty songs, but Jethro Burns was also a fine mandolinist (and he lived in Evanston): 

Reflecting the Italian origin of the mandolin, here is the theme from The Godfather: 

Chris Thile and Bela Fleck 

Avi Avital "Nigun" 

 David Grisman and Sam Bush