Joe Hillman Band

Nestled in the heart of Chester County, PA, the Joe Hillman Band is an acoustic string band specialized in entertaining crowds of all walks of life. The band draws influence from rock and roll, bluegrass, and swing music, mixed together to provide an original and energetic experience.

Vocalist Joe Hillman began singing in choir at the of 7 in Philadelphia, PA. After years of classical voice, piano and french horn training, he sold his horn to pick up the electric guitar. In the 80s & 90s Joe was the lead singer of the band Modern Beatnik, which gave him the chance to hone his skills as a front man and open for major acts in the tri-state area. He worked for master luthier, John Zeidler as an apprentice, and later built his own mandolin. In 2001, Joe founded the Long Trail band, known today as the Joe Hillman Band.

Guitarist and fiddler Jordan Rast was originally trained in Suzuki violin, but quickly departed classical music in favor of songwriting and the fiddle. He has enjoyed success as a songwriter, winning the Appalachian String Band Music Festival’s original neo-traditional song award 3 times (2011, 2013, and 2016) as well as releasing 3 original solo albums (DreamDays, 2007; Fractured Love, 2011; Cowboy Money, 2015). He is also an accomplished old time fiddler, and recently received second place in the FreshGrass Fiddle Awards in 2016.

Bassist Daniel Turkos is a freelance musician and teaching artist based in Philadelphia, PA, who maintains a busy performing schedule in orchestral, chamber, and solo settings as well as playing bluegrass, jazz and rock. He performs regularly with the The Pennsylvania Ballet, The Philly Pops, Prometheus Chamber Orchestra, Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, The American Bach Soloists, Tempesta di Mare and The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia on a national tour with saxophonist Branford Marsalis. Dan also performs in historically informed Baroque music ensembles on both violone and viola da gamba.

Visit their website and watch a video of the Joe Hillman Band performing below.