Once again, banjos descend upon Beijing. 　　

For the third time in as many years, Abigail Washburn, a bilingual singer/songwriter from the United States, returns to China to perform her unique brand of Sino-American old time bluegrass folk music.

Left-right: Casey Driessen, Bela Fleck, Abigail Washburn, Ben Sollee

Washburn, who studied Chinese in Beijing years ago, performs with the world's most famous banjo player Bela Fleck in the new Sparrow Quartet. 　　

The Sparrow Quartet brings together the same folks that performed as "Traveling Daughter" last year. Besides Abigail on vocals and the banjo, nine-time Grammy winner Bela Fleck also plays the banjo, with Casey Driessen on the fiddle and Ben Sollee rounding out the act with the cello. 　　

They will perform two shows in Beijing. They will first appear at Peking University Hall on Friday night, starting at 7 PM. Tickets range from 20 to 150 RMB. They will then perform at Star Live on Saturday night around 9 PM. Some local folk musicians are also slated to join forces with the Quartet for their second performance. 　

(CRI November 8, 2006)