Nora Brown: A Rising Star

We've written about Nora in the past (highlights from her youth below), but she's been very busy over the past year, performing all around the world, which has furthered her reputation as both a guardian of Southern Appalachian folk traditions and a rising star in the banjo world (image courtesy of https://www.norabrownmusic.com)

The Past Year

Kicking off the period with a notable appearance in March 2025, at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage in Washington, D.C., Brown teamed up with fiddler (and long-time collaborator) Stephanie Coleman for a set that highlighted their seamless interplay between banjo and fiddle, drawing on old-time tunes that resonated authenticity and emotional depth.

This collaboration is embodied in the EP "Lady of the Lake," originally released in 2023 but still garnering fresh attention through live renditions and reviews. A November 25, 2024, review praised the EP's impeccable artistry, noting Brown's banjo work as a "super session" of sorts, infused with warmth and clarity.

In May 2025, the duo delivered a full live set at The Observatory in Santa Ana, California and by the summer, they performed at the 2025 Nelsonville Music Festival in Ohio, where their Creekside Stage performance was recorded for the Sycamore Sessions, a project in partnership with WOUB Public Media and Ohio University's School of Media Arts & Studies.

This session, released on February 3, 2026, featured the pair blending old-time magic with Appalachian roots, emphasizing spontaneous conversational elements between instruments that felt both timeless and innovative.

In October 2025, Brown headlined a solo show at the Narrows Center in Fall River, Massachusetts, on the 18th that highlighted her original songwriting and interpretations of classics like Charles Wesley's "Am I Born to Die."

November 2025 marked an international highlight with a performance at The Round Chapel in London on the 21st.

As 2026 dawned, Brown announced exciting tour plans for the year, including a May itinerary across Ireland and the UK: starting with

• Roisin Dubh in Galway on May 17
• Pavilion Theatre in Dún Laoghaire on May 19
• Neuadd Ogwen in Bethesda on May 20
• a gig on May 23 (possibly at Outside Devon)
• The Cornish Bank on May 24

...and more, signaling a busy European leg focused on duo sets with Coleman.

Throughout this time, Brown has drawn from her mentorship under masters like Alice Gerrard, George Gibson, and the late Lee Sexton, evolving her focus on Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee styles.

With no signs of slowing, she continues to enchant with her banjo's poignant voice, proving that at just over 20 years old, her contributions to old-time music are already profound and enduring, setting the stage for even more in the coming years.

Her Youth

Exposed to the banjo and old-time music by her mother, she quickly fell in love with the instrument. She started learning music at the age of 6 from the late Shlomo Pestcoe. During their lessons at his studio apartment in Brooklyn, Pestcoe instilled in her the belief that music is meant to be shared and techniques/songs passed on through the oral tradition.

Lee Sexton and George Gibson, both legends in the world of old-time music, were significant influences on her. Through lessons and interactions, they passed on their knowledge, shaping her musical style. Moreover, Brown frequently cites the importance of learning directly from older generations.

Nora’s debut album, "Cinnamon Tree," released when she was just 13, was a testament to her prowess and the great things to come.