Pythagoras w/ Max Wareham

Pythagoras w/ Max Wareham

Mon 8/18

6pm doors/7pm show

All Ages | $20

Pythagoras began in a sweltering college dorm in the mountains of East Tennessee. Their roots in traditional bluegrass blend with a fresh, contemporary edge bring listeners across genres and generations to their shows.

Pythagoras features an international lineup of talented musicians, all now calling Johnson City, Tennessee, home: Grant Dresnok on guitar, Gracie Grossman on fiddle, Gabriel Hebert on banjo, Joe Henson on mandolin, and Lexi Wagnitz on upright bass. In 2024, the band recorded and released their debut album, Theorem, and embarked on their first international tour, leading up to the Westport Folk Festival in Ireland. Their relentless drive and ability to connect with audiences have quickly earned them a reputation as one of the most exciting young bands in bluegrass. From bustling festivals and clubs to intimate listening rooms, weddings, and private events, Pythagoras delivers a memorable, unique musical experience and energy to every show.

Despite their roots in tradition, the ever-changing nature of the music industry keeps their sights set firmly on the future. Whether you're a lifelong bluegrass fan or new to the genre, a Pythagoras show offers something for all music lovers.

Max Wareham is a banjo player, songwriter, and author based in Boston, MA. He plays with the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band and appears on their Grammy-nominated album Calling You From My Mountain.

After two years of touring with Peter Rowan, Max recorded his own album, Daggomit!—coming out February 21, 2025. The record features an all-star cast including Chris Eldridge and David Grier on guitar, Laura Orshaw on fiddle, Chris Henry on mandolin, Mike Bub on bass, Larry Atamanuik on snare drum, and Peter Rowan as guest vocalist and producer. Recorded by multi-Grammy-winning engineer Sean Sullivan, the album blends soulful original songs with a deep respect for the early pioneers of bluegrass banjo.

Max’s passion for bluegrass history also led him to write Rudy Lyle: The Unsung Hero of the Five String Banjo, a book that dives into the life and music of Rudy Lyle—one of the first banjo players with Bill Monroe. The book includes detailed transcriptions of Lyle’s recorded breaks, interviews with legendary banjo players and Lyle’s family, and rare, previously unpublished photos.

Outside of bluegrass, Max has a wide-ranging musical background. He studied jazz guitar at the New School in New York, co-wrote and co-produced the album Cousin Moon, played bass in the psych-pop band Sun Parade, and released music under the name “Sir Orfeo.”

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