SHORT BIO:
The Hazel Project honors bluegrass pioneers Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard with authentic instrumentation, powerful vocal harmonies, and deep respect for tradition. As New England’s premier tribute to these trailblazing women, the band recently reached a historic milestone at the Joe Val Bluegrass Festival when the legendary Alice Gerrard joined them for a set on the stage. This unforgettable collaboration caps a breakout run for the band that includes a celebrated debut at Thomas Point Beach and a featured profile in Bluegrass Unlimited magazine. Now a “must-see” act on the Northeast circuit, the powerhouse lineup —Betsy Green (fiddle), Gretchen Bowder (banjo), Whitney Roy (guitar), and Lindsay Lassonde (bass) — delivers stories of hardship, love, loss, and the enduring human spirit to contemporary audiences.
PRESS RELEASE:
The Hazel Project, New England’s premier tribute to the pioneers of women in bluegrass, reached a historic milestone this February at the Joe Val Bluegrass Festival. The ensemble was joined on stage by the legendary Alice Gerrard for a performance that bridged generations of traditional grassroots music. The collaboration comes on the heels of a breakout year for The Hazel Project. Following a celebrated debut at Thomas Point Beach in 2024 and a featured profile in the March 2025 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited, the band has quickly become a “must-see” act on the Northeast circuit. Featuring Betsy Green (fiddle), Gretchen Bowder (banjo), Whitney Roy (guitar), and Lindsay Lassonde (bass), the group dedicates their repertoire to the raw, socially conscious catalog of Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard.
“To share the stage with Alice is the highest honor we could imagine,” said the band. “Her music with Hazel changed the landscape of bluegrass, giving a voice to workers and women everywhere. We are just proud to keep those harmonies soaring.”
About The Hazel Project: The Hazel Project honors the legacy of Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard through authentic instrumentation and powerful vocal harmonies. They perform at festivals and venues across New England, bringing stories of labor, loss, and the enduring human spirit to modern audiences.
Contact: The Hazel Project / hazelprojectband@gmail.com / hazelprojectband.com
Photo by Lindsay Straw, 2025
Photo by Lindsay Straw, 2025
Photo by Alex Steed, 2024
Photo by Alex Steed, 2024
Photo by Lindsay Straw, 2025