Electronic Press Kit
Bio
“New York-native, Benny Bleu is a geologist by trade, banjo player and singer-songwriter who touches on our connections with the natural world and each other.” – Putumayo World Music
Benny Bleu Haravitch plays old time banjo in the Finger Lakes of upstate New York – a land defined by deep lake valleys and steep highlands. The topography is reflected in the local fiddle tradition, and Benny’s banjo rolls along having studied and played with regional old-time visionaries Mac Benford, Richie Stearns, Judy Hyman, and Bruce Molsky. As a former geologist, his songwriting is earth-focused and inspired by the natural world. Benny’s performances are soothing journeys through tunes from his homeland, old songs learned by growing up next to a jug-bandleader, and original modern folk contemplations. His appearance in the 2025 Clifftop Banjo Finals, alongside his latest releases Banjo Meditations (Bandcamp Daily’s Best Country Music) and Banjo Jubilations (FAI Folk Radi0 Top 5) nestle Benny amongst the most distinguished clawhammer banjoists today. Find him on one of his Amtrak tours spreading the efforts of sustainability and eco-consciousness in the traveling arts.
Listen/Watch/Connect
Spotify | Apple Music | Youtube | Bandcamp | Substack
Band Video:
Solo Video:
Photo Gallery
(right click to download full image, photo credit in file name)
Selected Previous Press
“Benny Bleu rocks!” — Bruce Molsky
“New York-native, Benny Bleu is a geologist by trade, banjo player and singer-songwriter who touches on our connections with the natural world and each other.” – Putumayo World Music
“… the banjo feeds your body’s Feel Good System…” – Bandcamp Daily, about Banjo Meditations.
“His five-string banjo playing is extremely traditional and beautiful to listen to as it floats through the room.” – Folker.world
“clawhammer banjo zen session… straight up hypnotic” – CITY Newspaper, about March of the Mollusk.
“With a somber and introspective tone, the music carries a quiet poignancy that recalls the straight-forward folk ballads of Dave Van Ronk.” – CITY Newspaper, about “Serenity Song”.
Banjo Workshop Samples
I like to focus on simple ideas that students can go deep with like rhythm, communication, phrasing, etc. Here are some sample workshops I’ve taught in the past:
Beginner Clawhammer Banjo: “Slow and in the Flow” – learn how incorporating slow practice can help your playing blossom. How to ACTUALLY use a metronome and focus on groove.
Intermediate Clawhammer Banjo: “The Language of Music” – Learn how musicians are constantly speaking to each other and how you can join the conversation.
Advanced Clawhammer Banjo: “The Role of the Banjo” – In the modern old time string band, the fiddle plays the melody, the bass booms, and the guitar chucks. But what does the banjo do? Learn about the great power and great responsibility we share as banjo players.
Achievements
2025 Banjo Finalist at the Appalachian String Band Festival (Clifftop! – 3rd place)
2024 Official Showcase Artist at the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA)
‘Serenity Song‘ is released as an official Putumayo Single – September 2023
#2 Artist (Benny Bleu) and #5 album (Banjo Jubilations) on the FAI Folk Radio charts for June 2024
March of the Mollusk reached #12 in the FAI Folk Radio charts for March 2023
Finalist in the 2022 Online Old Time Banjo Contest (4th place) judged by Adam Hurt, Cathy Fink, and Rachel Eddy
1st place in the 2019 Oldtone Banjo Contest and the 2015 Grassroots Banjo Contest
2nd place in the 2018 Northeast Fiddlers Convention Banjo Contest
2017 Greyfox Bluegrass Festival Emerging Artist with The Brothers Blue