Dan Levenson
TEACHER ~ AUTHOR ~ PERFORMER
Dan Levenson is well-known among old-time music fans for his performances, recording, and his instructional material for clawhammer banjo and old-time fiddle. An Appalachian native, Dan makes his home in Tucson, Arizona.
Dan founded the renowned old-time string band The Boiled Buzzards. He now tours, teaches and performs solo at concerts and festivals or at dances with his current band, the Cat Mountain Rounders.
Dan Levenson photo (above) by Steven Meckler
Important: Please note, as of January 1, 2025 I am no longer selling my products (CDs’, books, and videos) directly. You can follow the links to my pages at BandCamp for recording and insert downloads and to MelBay for physical book sales.
Dan’s Blog
- I’m going to Kazakhstan! (7/27/2026)
I’m going to Kazakhstan!
Appalachia to Asia by way of Arizona
Thirty years ago I released a recording called New Frontier. To my knowledge it was the first release of an album blending US Appalachian and traditional-style old-time music with Chinese traditional music. I, along with Michigan musician Kim Murley, had met at a festival in Evart, MI. During my time at the festival I got to know more about the Chinese music and Kim herself.
Shortly after, she stopped in Cleveland, OH (where I was living at the time) and we performed at a couple of coffee houses. I asked her to play one of her Chinese pieces so I could join her. She was skeptical, but when I joined in on the tune when the music just clicked! We decided to do some more shows together and went into the studio to do a recording. The resulting recording and music came out wonderfully.
We released New Frontier at the Folk Alliance conference in February of 1996. We also set up a yearlong tour but Kim soon decided that the life of a full-time musician was not for her. I wish her well, but I have not been in touch with her for many years now. The album, however, after being an Elderly Hot Platter for several months is still in print and continues to get airplay both here, in China, and in other countries, even now some 30 years later.
Wwhere did the time go? Three decades later, I have amassed eight recordings of my own and played on several other musicians’ projects. I’ve written 17 books with Mel Bay culminating with Dan Levenson’s Master Collection of Old-Time Tunes, my collection of over 300 fiddle tunes. There has even been a biography written about me and still in my prime!
Now, as a result of this history and two Master Artist awards from the Southwest Folklife Alliance I am honored to be asked to travel to Almaty, Kazakhstan (Tucson, AZ’s sister city) in August of 2026 (just one month away) for a Cultural Exchange tour co-sponsored by The Southwest Folklife Allinace and The Smithsonian Institutions Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. It truly feels like a culmination and validation of my work over the years. And all of this is really thanks to you my listeners and students who have made this journey possible.
While more details and a formal press release will be forthcoming, I wanted to let you know what is happening these days particularly as it relates to my musical journey. Thanks for coming along!
I leave the States on August 17 for this remarkable 10-day journey! If you happen to be in Almaty, Kazakhstan during that time, perhaps you can come to the show! CYA There?
Here’s what I know so far:
THE CONCERT: On August 22, we’ll all take part in the World Music Camp: Tucson / Almaty concertat Huns Ethno Village — a full day bringing artists and audiences together in an informal, festive setting. The day will include:
- A traditional Kazakh welcome ceremony (possibly featuring horses and camels!)
- Traditional horseback games, archery, and folk games
- Artist talks and hands-on workshops where visitors can learn about different musical traditions
- The main concert at 4 pm, featuring 4 Kazakh ensembles and 3 US ensembles (roughly 2.5–3 hours of music) (Steppe Sons, Hassak, Duana, and Aldaspan from Kazakhstan and Gabriel Ayala; Myself – Dan Levenson; Las Azaleas members Diana Olivares, Azul Navarrete, and Yvette from the US)
- Dinner and a fire gathering around the campfire to close the day
