Martin Gilmore Trio & John Depew Trio

Doors 7PM / Show 8PM

Martin Gilmore is an award-winning singer-songwriter, guitarist, and educator whose music blends the rich traditions of folk and bluegrass with thoughtful songwriting and masterful musicianship. With a voice that resonates with sincerity and storytelling that spans time and place, he seamlessly weaves together traditional ballads, fresh interpretations of classics, and original compositions that feel both timeless and immediate.

In 2024, Martin won both the prestigious Telluride Bluegrass Festival Troubadour Competition and the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Songwriter’s Showcase, cementing his reputation as one of the most compelling songwriters in contemporary folk and bluegrass.

His upcoming album, Thea is a Light Blue, is set for release on April 22, 2025. This highly anticipated record showcases his signature blend of intricate songwriting, evocative storytelling, and masterful instrumentation.

Martin’s debut self-titled album (2009), produced by Travis Book of The Infamous Stringdusters, featured members of FY5, Open Road, and Hot Rize’s Pete Wernick. In 2017, his EP East-West—a collaboration with Egyptian musician Eslam Elabaty—captured the cross-cultural influences of his time living in Cairo (2015–2017). His 2021 release, The Martin Gilmore Trio, showcases the talents of Nick Amodeo (mandolin) and Ian Haegele (bass), along with special guests Tim O’Brien, Courtney Hartman, and Mollie O’Brien. The trio has performed across the U.S. and Ireland and was featured as an official showcase group at the IBMA World of Bluegrass in 2021.

Beyond performing, Martin is a dedicated music educator. Since 2017, he has been on the faculty at the University of Northern Colorado’s Folk and Bluegrass program, teaching bluegrass guitar, songwriting, and ensemble performance. He has also been a longtime instructor at Swallow Hill Music Association in Denver, where he leads courses in songwriting, guitar, and bluegrass ensemble. Additionally, he has taught courses on bluegrass music, the banjo, country music, and cowboy songs at the University of Denver’s Enrichment Program.

Throughout his career, Martin has shared the stage with legends like The Infamous Stringdusters, Stephen Stills, and Judy Collins. Whether performing as a solo artist, with The Martin Gilmore Trio, or with his bluegrass band Long Road Home, he continues to bring authenticity, passion, and musical craftsmanship to audiences around the world.

John Depew hails from the wide-open prairie where there are more cows than people, and he likes it that way. Nominated to be a face on the “Mt. Rushmore of Awkward Kansans,” he takes his role seriously and only participates in medium- to-large talk. He definitely never overthinks small decisions like how many potatoes to cook for dinner or how many compliments to give himself in his own bio. His songwriting and musicianship have been described as ‘a nightmare for your ears…like…in a good way!’

John Depew is an accomplished instrumentalist and songwriter drawing inspiration from bluegrass, jazz, classical, and other traditional sounds for his original material. His storytelling, humor, and down-to-earth philosophy combined with high-level musicianship create a captivating live performance, regardless of ensemble format.

His latest release, Bell of Hope, combines his trademark songwriting sensibility with a powerhouse mandolin, banjo, bass trio. The trio act with Peter Oviatt feature Depew’s originals mixed with traditional songs and selections from Depew’s favorite modern songwriters.

Host or Publisher Swallow Hill Music