Boris Garcia

Philadelphia, PA-based progressive bluegrass band Boris Garcia began as a recording unit rather than a performing ensemble and was really more of a lark than a serious project at its inception. The five musicians — Jeff Otto (ukulele, bass, guitar, slide, and vocals), Gene Smith (recorder, harmonica, guitar, and vocals), Bob Stirner (lead guitar, bass, and vocals), Stephe Ferraro (drums and percussion), and Bud Burroughs (mandolin, bouzouki, and accordion), sharing a love of bluegrass, decided to make an album together. It was called Boris Garcia's Family Reunion, and they released it in 2005 on their own Porchwerk Music label. Only after the disc's release did the band began taking gigs in and around Philadelphia and building up a following. They released their second album, Mother's Finest, on June 27, 2006, by which time they had been invited to play on the main stage of the Philadelphia Folk Festival.