About
Gene Bretecher, long regarded as one of Canada’s foremost 5-string
banjo players, has blazed a trail as one of the most innovative and
influential banjo players over the past forty years.
Gene has a smooth yet commanding style, which is admired by thousands throughout North America.
He also enjoys a reputation as an outstanding instructor of 5-string banjo and guitar flat-picking. His latest accomplishment is authoring an instructional course with most of the selections from his internationally acclaimed “Banjo Holiday” CD. Gene’s well-earned success stems from decades in sound studios and live performances, including soundtrack sessions for the popular TV show, “Sesame Street” and his own CD’s “Banjo Holiday”, “Canadian Whitewater” and “Canadian Whitewater - Live at Creekside.” His recordings have received rave reviews and national radio airplay. His shows range from the intimacy of the small theatre to the excitement of main stage appearances at Canada's top festivals.
Manitoba’s former “Instrumentalist of the Year” has shared the stage with legends Flatt and Scruggs, Don Williams, Liona Boyd, Hank Snow and Roy Clark to name a few. Gene continues to play with world class musicians, performs with several bluegrass bands, solo artists and instructs privately and at music workshops.
Gene and the love of his life, his wife Linda, reside on the shores of beautiful Shuswap Lake in British Columbia.
Gene has a smooth yet commanding style, which is admired by thousands throughout North America.
He also enjoys a reputation as an outstanding instructor of 5-string banjo and guitar flat-picking. His latest accomplishment is authoring an instructional course with most of the selections from his internationally acclaimed “Banjo Holiday” CD. Gene’s well-earned success stems from decades in sound studios and live performances, including soundtrack sessions for the popular TV show, “Sesame Street” and his own CD’s “Banjo Holiday”, “Canadian Whitewater” and “Canadian Whitewater - Live at Creekside.” His recordings have received rave reviews and national radio airplay. His shows range from the intimacy of the small theatre to the excitement of main stage appearances at Canada's top festivals.
Manitoba’s former “Instrumentalist of the Year” has shared the stage with legends Flatt and Scruggs, Don Williams, Liona Boyd, Hank Snow and Roy Clark to name a few. Gene continues to play with world class musicians, performs with several bluegrass bands, solo artists and instructs privately and at music workshops.
Gene and the love of his life, his wife Linda, reside on the shores of beautiful Shuswap Lake in British Columbia.
