music, Women Music March 2026

WMM 2026 Day 22 — Nora Brown

Posted by Lisa or Li on


Nora Brown

The idea that old-time music is dying
and there’s not enough people playing it,
I really feel it’s over-dramaticised
and not really true –Nora Brown,
interview at tradfolk.com

From Nora’s website:

Nora Brown was introduced to traditional music by chance as a six year old. What her parents assumed would be routine ukulele lessons were an inconspicuous window to the world of old-time music. From his tiny studio apartment in Brooklyn, the late Shlomo Pestcoe, a historian and old-time musician taught Nora old time tunes on the ukulele and through his continued instruction other traditional instruments– the fiddle, mandolin, guitar and banjo.

Nora now plays traditional Appalachian music with a focus on banjo playing from Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee. Along with mentors in the northeast like the late John Cohen she also has traveled and learned directly from master musicians including Alice Gerrard, George Gibson and the late Lee Sexton.

She toured across the US, Europe, and Japan, playing renowned festivals including the Newport Folk Festival, Roskilde Festival, and the Trans-Pecos Festival of Love in Marfa, Texas. She has performed on NPR’s Tiny Desk twice, TED Salon, WNYC’s Dolly Parton’s America and an official showcase at the 2022 Americana Fest in Nashville. 

Nora has been interviewed on NPR’s Weekend Edition, WBUR Here and Now and she’s been included on NPR’s All Songs Considered. 

Since 2019 she has released four albums on Brooklyn’s own Jalopy Records Label. All records have charted on the Billboard Bluegrass Charts during the first week of release. 

To read a good interview with her from 2021 at BK Mag, go here.

artist’s official website

13 Comments Add yours

  1. Cindy Georgakas's avatar Cindy Georgakas says:
    March 22, 2026 at 12:13 pm

    Another great musician, Nora Lee to honor, Li. Love it! Great voice and love here video when she was young with here gifts. Such a young wise soul. “I play about people that were dead”. Fun to see her then and now and here voice and music changing.
    I could listen to her all day. 💕 “I don’t know why I love music, I just do”❣️ LOVE that💕

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:
      March 22, 2026 at 6:31 pm

      Cindy so happy that Nora strikes a chord with you. I admire this little lady very much and can’t wait to see where her journey takes her. Thanks for listening and for your comment <3

      Like

      Reply
  2. Badfinger (Max)'s avatar Badfinger (Max) says:
    March 22, 2026 at 12:59 pm

    I love this of course. She is carrying on an important part of our musical heritage and making it modern…which is wonderful. A few will pick it up and carry it forward because of her. I loved the short film….

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:
      March 22, 2026 at 6:39 pm

      Max, I like the way you put that. It’s how music stays alive. Yes, I liked the short also.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. Steve's avatar Steve says:
    March 22, 2026 at 5:12 pm

    I love the voice and her playing… very talented!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:
      March 22, 2026 at 6:41 pm

      She’s got her own way. Glad you enjoyed her music, Steve.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. seanatbogie's avatar seanatbogie says:
    March 22, 2026 at 6:27 pm

    That Little Nora video is wonderful. Her parents and Schlomo must have had quite the journey with her from ukulele child prodigy to master conservationist of a specialise genre. I will never get tired of hearing a banjo played.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:
      March 22, 2026 at 8:27 pm

      Glad you enjoyed her music, Sean. I like banjo music also and am a fan of neo bluegrass, like Billy Strings and his band.

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      Reply
      1. seanatbogie's avatar seanatbogie says:
        March 23, 2026 at 7:34 am

        Now I will have to look up Billy Strings!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:
          March 23, 2026 at 11:28 am

          He’s a Michigan boy. :)

          Like

          Reply
  5. Christian's Music Musings's avatar Christian's Music Musings says:
    March 22, 2026 at 8:47 pm

    I’m all new to Nora Brown. After having read your post and watched a few video clips I have to say I find her amazing! Until 5 years ago or so, I didn’t pay any attention to bluegrass. Then I came across Molly Tuttle who I believe you already featured in your great series. She’s a super-talented guitarist who also plays banjo. Bluegrass is truly handmade music that requires a good deal of craftsmanship – my kind of music!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:
      March 22, 2026 at 8:51 pm

      Awesome, Christian. Happy you are getting to know Molly Tuttle.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
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