BB Bowness (banjo) and Alex Rubin (guitar) have been making music together for the last decade and continue to bring their euphoric energy to stages around the world. 

Since first meeting in the vibrant Boston music scene, they have fused their love of bluegrass and traditional roots music into something fresh and unique. 

Alex Rubin

A member of the April Verch Band from 2016-2020, Alex has toured extensively both at home and internationally, including performances in 49 states and abroad.  

Alex developed a love for acoustic and traditional music while attending Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.  Graduating with a degree in Neurobiology in 2011, Alex returned to the vibrant Boston music scene, studying privately with Berklee School of Music’s ineffable John McGann. 

Since then, Alex has performed around the world on distinguished stages including at Merlefest, Australia's National Folk Festival, Estonia's Viljandi Folk Festival, Kaustinen Folk Festival in Finland, the Vancouver Island Musicfest and more. Alex is also the winner of the 2022 Freshgrass Guitar Competition. 

Currently, Alex lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts and is working on a solo acoustic guitar record.

BB Bowness

Born in Marton, Catherine "BB" Bowness spent her early years working and living in her family's fish-and-chip shop. Although an unlikely origin for a bluegrass banjo player, New Zealand would offer BB her first introduction to the instrument, sparking a lifelong love and fascination.

A world away from the heart of bluegrass, BB spent much of her childhood teaching herself the instrument, and through dedication and tenacity became New Zealand School of Music's first banjo student, graduating with a Bachelor of Music in jazz performance. 

After moving to Boston in 2012, she co-founded her current group, Mile Twelve who have won numerous IBMA awards, including 2020 New Artists of the Year. 

BB won the 2015 Freshgrass Banjo contest and was awarded the Steve Martin Banjo Prize in 2020.

Combining their technical mastery with reverence for tradition, Alex & BB are not to be missed: Katikati Folk Club on Wednesday January 29th – our first concert of 2025 – as part of a double-bill with the Eden Iris Trio.