Matt Flinner

Among the leading instrumental voices in contemporary folk and bluegrass, Matt Flinner has performed alongside the Trischkas, Tim and Mollie O'Brien, Sally Van Meter, and Sugarbeat while issuing solo projects on the Compass label. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, he first gained notice as a teenage banjo prodigy before shifting focus to mandolin, though he maintained mastery of both instruments and captured first place at the Winfield National Championships on banjo in 1990 and on mandolin the next year. Following his tenure with Sugarbeat and extensive tours alongside major figures in modern folk, Flinner assembled a band that included guitarist David Grier, Jerry Douglas on dobro, and fiddlers Stuart Duncan, Darol Anger, and Tim O'Brien. With Grammy-winning producer Todd Phillips, the ensemble cut The View From Here, issued in early 1998 by Compass Records. Latitude appeared in early 2001. Now based in Idaho, Flinner continues to perform and record with the Judith Edelman Band.