The Power of Musical Diversity and Inclusion: American Patchwork Quartet Brings Its Multi-Cultural Re-Imagining of the Americana Sound to Grass Valley

By Mario Tarradell

By design and definition, Americana music is a sonic quilt. The genre is a rich, rootsy weaving of soul, bluegrass, gospel, folk, country, blues, jazz, and rock. As its name suggests, it is an organically American sound – diverse and homegrown. And like America, Americana music stitches together a basket of evolving nationalities and influences.

American Patchwork Quartet manages to further expand a style that is already quite broad. The band, led by two-time Grammy award-winning guitarist and vocalist Clay Ross, features a revolving door of immensely talented and multi-cultural artists, including vocalist Falu, bassist Nori Naraoka, and drummer Clarence Penn.

One listen to APQ’s self-titled debut album, a critically acclaimed and Grammy-nominated effort released in February 2024, and you’ll feel new respect for timeless songs such as “Wayfaring Stranger,” “Shenandoah,” “Beneath the Willow,” and “John the Revelator.” These renditions paint the American Patchwork Quartet picture, an aurally beautiful, spiritually passionate, and soulfully rhythmic re-imagining of music with deep history.

“Our music shows where Americana music is today,” says Ross. “It’s based on old styles, but it has its own unique sound. I hope that in 20 years, our music will have helped make the idea of American music and identity bigger and more diverse.”

APQ is on the road for a series of concert performances that take them through summer, fall, and winter into early 2025. Catch these exceptional musicians onstage February 5 at The Center for the Arts, 314 W. Main Street in Grass Valley, CA. The show starts at 7pm (doors @ 6pm); all ages are welcome. Tickets are $32-$52 and can be purchased HERE.

In two years, the American Patchwork Quartet members have brought their musical message of diversity and inclusion to storied stages across the country. Theirs is a signature interpretation of a genre that’s already widely recognized for its creative open-door blueprint.

“People often say our version of ‘Shenandoah’ makes them cry,” says Ross. “Some say they never liked folk music before, but they love our version. We have played over 100 shows across the country and the feedback has been very positive. We’ve performed at places like Carnegie Hall and the Grand Ole Opry, in big cities like San Francisco and small towns in Mississippi. Everywhere we go, I believe this music makes people proud of America’s diversity.”

American Patchwork Quartet has also generated media buzz with high-profile segments and live performances on NPR Here & Now, CBS News New York, and WYNC Soundcheck as well as published features in No Depression, American Songwriter, and The Bluegrass Situation.

For Ross, American Patchwork Quartet is as much an enticing musical entity as it is a purposeful plunge into a new realm of artistry. “It’s an organic process of creation that I gravitate towards things that are both entertaining and fun,” he told The Bluegrass Situation. “And things that have a depth and that can guide you into a whole world, whether it’s history or emotional exploration.”