Bio
“I am constantly knocked out by Simon’s mastery as an instrumentalist, improviser and conceptual artist. These qualities infuse his compositions with so much integrity and a strong sense of storytelling, always captivating the ear and lifting the music to new heights.”
– Julian Lage
“Simon is the only mandolin player I’ve ever heard who sounds like he’s really playing Jazz. He’s one in a million!”
– John McNeil
“Simon has absorbed the world of jazz phrasing and feel so deeply, and transmits that sound so satisfyingly on the mandolin, with more joy and ease than I previously knew was possible. He is as good an argument for the mandolin as a jazz instrument as there as yet been.”
– Joe K. Walsh
Simon Dunson is one of the most interesting and versatile mandolinists of his generation. His virtuosity, unique lyrical style and compelling compositional voice all combine to create a new exciting sound that throws the mandolin into unknown territory.
A native to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Simon grew up immersed in bluegrass music playing with people like, Andrew Marlin, Emily Frantz, Jon Stickley, Bobby Britt, Hank Smith and Joseph Terrell. Looking to try something new, Simon auditioned and was the first mandolin major to be admitted into Interlochen Arts Academy where he studied classical mandolin repertoire and techniques. During this time, Simon discovered a great love and passion for jazz music and following his graduation Simon came to Boston to attend New England Conservatory as the first mandolin player admitted into their Jazz department. Simon has studied with people such as, Julian Lage, Donny McCaslin, Ethan Iverson, Nasheet Waits, Jerry Bergonzi and Brad Shepik.
In December of 2021 Simon released his debut album, Chicken Bridge. Chicken Bridge is a collection of original compositions, recorded live with the help of three amazing musicians! Kurt Stracener, Matt Laird & Charlie Garnett were integral in the making of Chicken Bridge. With the use of an electrified mandolin, an array of effects and a lighthearted approach to a handful of great songs, Chicken Bridge makes a bold statement on the mandolins sound and role, but above all it is just great music. Whether you think you like jazz or not, Chicken Bridge is hard not to like!
“Dunson’s debut jazz album, ‘Chicken Bridge,’ blew us away with its great playing, writing, and electric guitar effects… it’s not at all what you think when you envision a “mandolin” record. “
– Jason Verlinde (Fretboard Journal)
His distinct compositional voice gained him acceptance into Banff’s Workshop for Jazz and Creative Music in the spring of 2020. Recording and production are also a huge passion of Simon’s and a recent collaboration with Roop Ghuman on Ghuman’s composition “Shaami Mildi” was featured in Rollingstone magazine.
Simon also regularly freelances with various bluegrass bands and maintains an active role performing classical music including recent performances of George Crumb’s Ancient Voices of Children (featuring soprano, Laura Osgood Brown), Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet (NEC Philharmonia), and Carol Barnett’s, A Bluegrass Mass (NEC Concert Choir, The Salisbury Singers).
Simon currently lives in Durham, North Carolina where he spends his time teaching students, writing music, rehearsing and making music!
In the fall of 2018 Simon placed 2nd in the National Mandolin Championship.
Simon also is an active educator, who has taught classes and workshops through Louisville Folk School, Pinecone and at the Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival.
Simon has been featured in publications like, The Fretboard Journal, Rollingstone India, Voyage Raleigh and Mandolins & Beer.
The Simon Dunson Quartet has performed at venues such as, Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival, Festival for the Eno, Carrboro Music Festival, Cats Cradle and many more!
