The Duhks

After Leonard Podolak's band, Scruj Macduhk, broke up, the Appalachian-style claw-hammer banjoist decided that this gave him the perfect opportunity to start another group, one that would fuse eclectic modern sounds with traditional roots. In 2002, along with lead singer Jessica Havey (who brought blues influences with her), fiddler Tania Elizabeth (who played in the French-Canadian style, among others), and guitarist Jordan Mcconnell (who had studied Celtic guitar), The Duhks self-released their debut, Your Daughters And Your Sons, in Canada in 2002 (it was then re-released in the States the following year). The album did well enough to bring the band a contract with North-Carolina-based Sugar Hill Records, who issued The Duhks' -- who had since added Latin-influenced percussionist Scott Senior -- self-titled Béla Fleck-produced record in 2005. The next year Migrations, which was produced this time by labelmate and contemporary bluegrass stalwart Tim O'brien, came out, followed by an extensive tour and an appearance at 2007's MerleFest. ~ Marisa Brown, All Music Guide