St. Cecilia Music Center (SCMC) brings the legendary Yonder Mountain String Band to the Royce Auditorium Stage on Thursday, December 4 at 7:30 p.m. Yonder Mountain String Band has been a driving force in roots music for nearly three decades and a key player in the progressive bluegrass, jamgrass movement. Their latest concert tour kicks off a new chapter with their newest album Nowhere Next (2024). Featuring original songs inspired by lived experiences, people, and places that have shaped them, the album is a mix of bluegrass, indie rock, and country with soulful, funky grooves that call for a good time. Their 11th studio album, Nowhere Next follows their Grammy-nominated Get Yourself Outside (2022), adding depth and momentum to Yonder’s rich musical legacy.
Executive & Artistic Director of SCMC Cathy Holbrook says, “St. Cecilia Music Center has been bringing some of the biggest names in bluegrass music for the past several years and we are thrilled to add Yonder Mountain String Band to that list for their debut at SCMC!”
Tickets to see Yonder Mountain String Band at St. Cecilia Music Center are $75, $55 and $35, available online at www.scmcgr.org or by calling 616-459-2224. Contact the Box Office Manager at tickets@scmcgr.org or 616-459-2224 x201 with questions.
Upcoming Acoustic Café Folk Series Concerts
- Singer/songwriter Joy Oladokun will appear on the series on November 18. [SOLD OUT]
- Grammy-nominated Yonder Mountain String Band, one of the greatest legendary bluegrass bands will perform on December 4.
- Three-time Grammy-winning artist Shawn Colvin will perform on Sunday, March 8, 2026 for a special "Celebration of International Women's Day", followed by a celebratory post-concert reception
- Master Bluegrass/Newgrass Artist and Grammy Award winner Sam Bush will rock the stage on March 26, 2026.
- Multi-Grammy nominated artist, Joan Osborne, “Sings the Songs of Bob Dylan” on Thursday, April 30, 2026 along with her other hits.
- Legendary acoustic guitarist Leo Kottke will perform on May 12, 2026.
Yonder Mountain String Band Bio
For nearly three decades, Grammy-nominated Yonder Mountain String Band continues to exist at the forefront of the progressive bluegrass scene, as innovators and pioneers of the modern jamgrass movement. With their diverse mix of bluegrass, rock, alternative, and improvisational music, Yonder Mountain brought their high-energy sound and psychedelic light show into rock 'n' roll settings with tremendous success, proving it’s possible for a bluegrass band to not only exist but excel in a rock world without drums. The inroads they made created opportunities for like-minded acoustic bands to perform at festivals, rock clubs, theaters, and stadiums previously considered off-limits for string bands. Yonder Mountain's original music and anything-goes attitude helped cultivate a spirit of collaborative improvisation that continues to fuel today’s progressive bluegrass and jamgrass scenes. It is a testament to the legacy of Yonder Mountain String Band that their original songs and unique interpretations of covers are regularly performed by next-generation marquee bluegrass bands. 2024 has marked a transformative year for Yonder Mountain String Band,with the release of two studio albums, a packed touring schedule, and an expanded lineup that reflects the band’s ever-evolving sound and vision. The first release—an EP titled I’d Like Off—offered a look into Yonder’s storied past with a previously unreleased studio project, featuring the original lineup: Adam Aijala, Dave Johnston, Ben Kaufmann, and the late Jeff Austin. The tracks were recorded on December 13th and 14th, 2010, and January 28th, 2011, in Boulder, Colorado.
The second and newest release—Nowhere Next—features original songs inspired by lived experiences, people, and places that have shaped them. The album is a mix of bluegrass, indie rock, and country with soulful, funky grooves that call for a good time. Their 11th studio album follows the Grammy-nominated Get Yourself Outside (2022), adding depth and momentum to Yonder’s rich musical legacy, showcasing the musical talents and collaborative writing efforts of founding members Aijala (guitar, vocals), Johnston (banjo, vocals), and Kaufmann (bass, vocals), alongside multi-instrumentalist Nick Piccininni (mandolin, banjo, fiddle, vocals), a five-year veteran. Together, their contributions as singers and instrumentalists shine throughout the record. Newest member Coleman Smith (fiddle) made his studio debut, adding a vibrant layer that complements the band’s overall dynamic. Grammy-winning Dobro legend Jerry Douglas added his signature style and talent to three of the tracks. Produced by Yonder Mountain String Band, Nowhere Next brings together the unique voices and visions of each member, where their contributions resonate with a shared openness. This collective synergy forges a powerful bond within the band, making each track feel both grounded and alive with their connection. Edgy, heartfelt, and full of surprises, Nowhere Next stands out as one of Yonder’s most compelling albums yet, inviting listeners to experience the band at their most vibrant and unrestrained.
SINGLE TICKETS for the Acoustic Café Folk Series, CMS of Lincoln Center series, and Spectacular Jazz Series include a $5.00 per ticket fee.
Acoustic Café Folk Series Tickets including ticket fees
Joy Oladokun with Special Guest Bartees Strange [Sold Out]
Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
A section $55
B section $40
C section $25
Yonder Mountain String Band
Thursday, December 4, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
A section $75
B section $55
C section $35
Shawn Colvin
Sunday, March 8, 2026, 7:00 p.m.
A section $65
B section $50
C section $35
Sam Bush
Thursday, March 26, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
A section $80
B section $65
C section $50
Joan Osborne
Thursday, April 30, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
A section $60
B section $45
C section $30
Leo Kottke
Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
A section $60
B section $45
C section $30
Spectacular Jazz Series single tickets
John Pizzarelli Trio
Thursday, January 16, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
A section $65
B section $50
C section $35
Emmet Cohen “Presents Miles and Coltrane at 100”
Thursday, February 26, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
A section $65
B section $50
C section $35
Branford Marsalis Quartet “Belonging Tour”
Thursday, March 19, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
A section $80
B section $65
C section $50
