PETER OSTROUSHKO
When they write the book on Peter Ostroushko, they may mention that he loved his family, music, cooking and baseball (love those Twins!); but there’s no doubt they’ll say he was one of the most accomplished instrumentalists and gifted composers of his generation.
The die was cast early on. Growing up in the Ukrainian community of northeast Minneapolis, Ostroushko heard mandolin, balalaika and bandura tunes played by his father and family friends. It’s the music that still echoes in Ostroushko’s memory and provides the basis for many of his compositions.
While growing up, he began to take up instrument after instrument, finally opting to concentrate on the fiddle and mandolin. During the next three decades, he made his mark as a sideman, session player, headliner, and composer. His first recording session was an uncredited mandolin set on Bob Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks album. He toured on a regular basis with Robin and Linda Williams, and Chet Atkins. He has also worked with Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Johnny Gimble, and Taj Mahal, to name a few.
Although Ostroushko can play bluegrass, jazz, swing, Celtic and many other musical styles, in recent years he has concentrated on his own instrumental compositions that blend all of those flavors. Billboard magazine has compared his work to Aaron Copland. He has appeared on hundreds of recordings, and his compositions have been used in two of Ken Burns’ documentaries.
As a solo performer, Ostroushko has produced a number of recordings, including Down the Streets of My Old Neighborhood, Sluz Duz Music, and three albums that make up his Heartland trilogy: Heart of the Heartland, Pilgrims of the Heart Road, and Sacred Heart.
Ostroushko has spent more than 25 years as one of Prairie Home Companion’s frequent performers, and for a few seasons served as the program’s music director. He’s also appeared on PBS’s Austin City Limits and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and Late Night with David Letterman.
Thu Jan 24 | 8 pm
CSPS | 1103 Third St SE | Cedar Rapids
$14 advance| $17 day of show

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