Grateful Bluegrass Boys

Grateful Bluegrass Boys are an acoustic string band from the Santa Cruz/SF Bay Area. 

Their primary mission is to get the audience singing and dancing along to beloved songs one might...or might not expect from a string band. Their first CD includes songs by Paul Simon, Willie Nelson, Led Zeppelin, Johnny Nash, The Eagles, and the Grateful Dead. 

While the name of the band references the Grateful Dead, gratitude is at the core of the band. They feel incredibly fortunate to play music for people all over the country and keep their set lists fresh and diverse. Recent shows include music by Ray Charles, Dire Straits, Neil Young, the Cars and more! 

The band also has a healthy respect for traditional Bluegrass and one can expect fiddle tunes and raucous Bluegrass songs. 

The band fits in perfectly at Bluegrass Festivals, Jam Band festivals, and art centers. 

They have shared the stage with Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Lukas Nelson, Bill Nershi, and many more incredible musicians.

Aaron has enjoyed a life full of music from the earliest ages. 
Growing up in a musical home, he started on guitar and piano at age 6 and was introduced to the violin at age 10. 
Playing in orchestra in the public schools of Mill Valley, California kept Aaron involved in music locally until he attended UC Irvine where he obtained a Bachelors degree in violin performance. He also minored in musical theater and drama. He had a love for the Grateful Dead and went to countless shows, enjoying the band-fan relationship he would later seek to develop. 
He next moved to Boston where he earned a Master’s degree in classical violin performance from the New England Conservatory of Music studying with Eric Rosenblith. He participated in chamber music festivals on the east coast and played numerous concerts with orchestras and in recital. 
Seattle was the next place Aaron called home. He performed and recorded with members of the Seattle Symphony. He also taught privately and built a large roster of students. 
Aaron moved on to Lawrence, Kansas to pursue further lessons with Ben Sayevitch at the University of Kansas. It was in Lawrence that Aaron met his first band, 2 Dollar Shoe Revival Story. Aaron started going to Bluegrass festivals and concerts of many different styles of music that led Aaron to pursue improvisatory music and to compose himself. 
In 2002, aaron moved back to his home state of California and quickly met up with the next chapter of his life. The band Hot Buttered Rum became the focal point of Aaron’s life for the next 13 years. He played every state in the United States and beyond with the band. 
He played violin, mandolin, and became one of the songwriters of the band. His songs became staples of the set and are found on a number of recordings by the group. 
One of his songs, Right Between Your Eyes, was licensed by a PBS cooking show, Cook’s Country, and has been the theme song for years. 
In 2013 Aaron and his wife Alexa welcomed their son Koya to the world and the decision was made to take some time off the road. 
Aaron formed Grateful Bluegrass Boys in Sonoma county where he was living and working. Original members of the band include David Thom and Bryan Horne. 
Ben Jacobs and Isaac Cantor were soon added and now Sean Lehe plays guitar after David moved to New Mexico. 
Aaron has also recorded three solo albums of original music that tend towards the folk rock, Bluegrass genre with classical music overtones. 
Aaron also recognizes the importance of musical education and continues to teach both privately and in public schools.