Ken & Brad Kolodner are a Baltimore-based father-son acoustic roots stringband who have built their musical partnership on a foundation of family, tradition, and a shared passion for old-time music.
Ken is one of the most respected hammered dulcimer players in the US, having toured and recorded extensively with the folk trio Helicon. Also a skilled fiddler, Ken brings a deep understanding of traditional roots music, which he’s spent years performing, recording, and teaching. His playing is both technically refined and innovative, shaped by a lifelong dedication to the craft.
Brad grew up surrounded by music, with jam sessions, concerts, and festivals forming the backdrop of his childhood. Over time, Brad developed his own voice as a clawhammer banjo player, blending traditional influences with modern ideas. His playing is clean, expressive, and full of rhythmic drive. He’s also a skilled composer, adding new tunes to the Old Time repertoire and reimagining traditional melodies.
What makes Ken and Brad’s music stand out is the natural connection that comes from years of playing together as family. Their performances aren’t just about technical skill—they’re about communication, listening, and a shared sense of exploration. Whether trading leads, locking into a groove, or improvising in the moment, they play with a deep sense of trust that audiences immediately feel. Along the way, they’ve brought others into the fold, performing regularly with bassist Alex Lacquement and multi-instrumentalist Rachel Eddy, who help expand the group’s sound and dynamics.
Even as they continue to innovate—incorporating unusual instruments like the hammered mbira or gourd banjo—they remain grounded in the music’s core values: community, tradition, and joy. Ken & Brad Kolodner are proof that old-time music is anything but static. It’s a living tradition, carried forward through relationships, stories, and the simple act of playing music together. Their work is a testament to the power of family—both the one you’re born into and the one you build through music.
