**Brand new recordings by Tracy Weinberg and Friends!
*Calendar of upcoming solo and band performances
*Check out the new performance videos on
Tracy Weinberg and Friends Facebook page
*Listen to Tracy Weinberg and Friends on SoundCloud!
*Hear music from Tracy's two solo CDs
*Visit Tracy's Facebook page and give it a "Like."
*Like Tracy Weinberg and Friends on Facebook, too!
*Booking/contact information: trweinberg@yahoo.com
Tracy Weinberg exemplifies the musical eclecticism found in the San Marcos/Austin area. Whether playing solo or with his band Tracy Weinberg and Friends, his unique singing style and accompaniment on the resonator banjo creates a fresh sound with echoes of blues, swing, folk, jazz, and more. Add in clever lyrics with a twist of humor, and this music is sure to please your musical palette.
Tracy was raised in the Chicago area, where he had the good fortune to hear live music ranging from the Chicago Symphony to Ravi Shankar to Iron Butterfly every summer at Ravinia Park. He picked up the banjo at age 16 because "everyone else played guitar," but his eclectic musical tastes led him to play non-traditional music on it. Attending college in Boston, he listened to lots of live jazz and began writing and performing with friends there.
After a snowy May day in Boston a few weeks before graduation, Tracy said to hell with winter and moved to Austin. There he experienced a wide range of music at places like Armadillo World Headquarters, Soap Creek Saloon, Liberty Lunch, and Rome Inn, where Stevie Ray Vaughan played every Monday to a handful of listeners.
After putting aside music to focus on a career as a teacher and educator, Tracy eventually rediscovered his passion for writing and performing. And when he bought a dojo (resonator banjo), which has the body of dobro and the neck of a banjo, he truly found his musical voice. Tracy now plays a variety of hybrid banjos that don't look like banjos, as well as the ukulele. His musical influences are wide-ranging, including diverse performers such as Louis Armstrong, Leon Redbone, Tom Waits, and Bela Fleck.
Tracy now lives in San Marcos, Texas, the sweet spot between Austin and San Antonio. He performs regularly in the area, both solo and with his band, Tracy Weinberg and Friends, and books music for the Art Squared Art Market, the San Marcos Public Library, and co-hosts the Hillcrest House Concert series.
A latecomer to recording, Tracy has two albums available; The Other Way Around (2016) and Mountains of Dreams (2012), which charted in the top 30 on the Folk DJ chart. Both co-produced with Tommy Byrd, they feature Warren Hood (mandolin/violin), Stanley Smith (clarinet), Chip Dolan (keyboards), and many other talented local musicians.
Tracy continues to write new songs and uncover interesting and unusual tunes by others. Expect to hear new recordings with the band, Tracy Weinberg and Friends, in the very near future.
Praise for Tracy Weinberg's music:
“Great playing! Your music reminds me of Leon Redbone meets Disney's The Jungle Book and The Aristocats, with a touch of western swing and Americana.”
“Astounding vocals! The mood of the songs makes me want to go to New Orleans and dance!”
“Great playing! Your music reminds me of Leon Redbone meets Disney's The Jungle Book and The Aristocats, with a touch of western swing and Americana.”
“Astounding vocals! The mood of the songs makes me want to go to New Orleans and dance!”